And the discussion continues about the Dragon Orb....

The blonde elf maid grinned impishly at the winged woman.
" It was lovely.   Nicely done. "

The priestess began praying for healing magic to her god, Oghma, who also loved a good pun now and then.

OOC :

04:48, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 12 using 1d8+5.  cure light wounds.

04:47, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 9 using 1d8+5.  cure light wounds


This message was last edited by the player at 10:50, Tue 29 Dec 2015.

Piebald walked over to his friend Lennox in a most calm-like manner, as he knew Nox was upset over the latest incident. His knowledge of these magical orbs was unknown to him, but he knew rushing into a fight was bad when you weren't prepared. Piebald lowered his hood so everyone could see what he looked like, especially his friend.

"Nox, my real name is Sir Misaleu of Arabel, Paladin of Bahamut. This is what's left of me because I ran into battle unprepared." Piebald explained "Do not make my same mistake. I know what you're saying is important, but you can't do anything when you're dead."

Nox bobs a respectful nod at Piebald's identity revelation, and that of his sacrifice."I'm fully prepared to confront Culver." Nox says carefully, with conviction. "I do not argue your logic, dead I can do nothing. But, right now I live-- As such, I can and will act. I do not fear a confrontation with the mage provided he's not yet made use of The Orb of Dragonkind. If he has, well, I am not too proud to fight another day." His attention drifts back to Hanns. "I cannot sit idly in ignorance while this may yet be the prime moment to strike." He tries to convey his point.

"It depends on how you measure 'prime.'" Amara said, still staring at the items to determine as much as she could about their magical properties. "We, ourselves, are weak right now, and hardly in 'prime' shape to strike. We don't have the information that could make a difference in combat, so that is not 'prime' either. The only possible 'prime' would be if he was in weakness, which is unlikely as he ran. And people usually run to a stronghold.

None of us are backing down from a fight. We are simply biding our time to choose the best moment."

OK, how about if we use this stone thing to see if he's on the other side, and if he is, we deal with him. If not, we come back here to make plans? Francis offered "Either way, we should heal up, in case we have to fight again."

Amara finally seemed satisfied. "The Breastplate and Shield each radiate moderate enchantment. The Long Sword has low level enchantment and transmutation, so has some special ability. The Bracers radiate moderate conjuration and the Ring mild abjuration, so both are likely to be protective. The potions are faint conjuration, so likely healing." She looked up. "Who would like what?"

"I'll take one of the healing potions, if you're confident that's what they are." Myarra replies to Amara's query.  "I can't use armor without extensive modification, I prefer the sword I have, and I've already got two rings.

But if I could get a little healing in an emergency without having to depend on Aliana, that would be a good thing."

As far as gathering information, it appears that it will involve either lots of reading, or using strange magical devices.  Neither are something that she would be comfortable with.  And since there were plenty of others that would love to do that research, she'd be happy to let them get on with it.

"I'd put it at 75% confident," Amara replied to Myarra. "I could really only use the ring or potion."

"Nolan? Aliana? Would either of you like to start taking a look at this book? Lennox is right, we should not waste time. It may tell us enough that we can use the gate without getting trapped, as well as know more about the orb to prevent us from making some mistake with it."

The elven lass nodded thoughtfully.

" I've been lucky enough to be able to stay out of the close fighting so far,  so I'll give first refusal to the fighters,  but I'm skilled with both the armor and shield as well as the sword.   I'd love to take either the shield or sword,  since I prefer light arnor, but I'll take whatever no one else wants. "

She then looked around.
" Who else needs healing? "

In reply to Francis Orville (msg # 6):

That sounds like a good plan. If he's on the other side, we take him out and take the orb back. If he's not there, posting a guard would also be a good idea, just in case he comes back. Let's get healed up as best we can, go through the waystone and look around. I'll read Bache's book later.

Nolan stands next to the stone and is ready to leave.

"Good enough for me." Myarra replies to Amara's assurances, or at least 75% of an assurance.

"Thanks Aliana." she adds to her elven friend as her wounds close up and the blood stops flowing.  Taking the bandages off, she stuffs them into her bag.  They'll need to be boiled, but they can be used again.  And since her shirt is already ruined, she might as well make the sacrifice worth while.

"It's supposed be one-way, so grab anything you want to take with you.  It could be a while before we see this place again, if ever.

And shouldn't we check the big bosses sleeping quarters?  There could be some good loot there.  Might be useful later on."

"I would think it would have loot, at least coin, as they did not." Amara said as she got up to distribute things, giving both potions to Myarra, the sword and shield to Aliana, the scroll and old book to Nolan, slipped the ring on her finger, and looked at the others, still having bracers and a breastplate unclaimed.

"No, no Myarra, it's one way back to the main Way-stone." Hanns explained "From the main Way-stone, you can come back here all you want, or go to the other places in the city. Think of this Way-stone as a door. The door only goes to two spots. In and Out and vice versa.

"No one slept down here, access was obtained mere hours ago at most." Nox reminds, still staring hard at the ghost who had yet to answer his question.

"That's not how one-way was explained to me when the constable fined me half a Cormyrian crown for taking my wagon down Plowshare Way back in Tarkhaldale." Myarra replies, a bit bemused and a bit confused.

"If I had been an honest merchant," she explains to Aliana, "instead of smuggling weapons to the saurial separatists, I'd probably have lost my entire profit margin.  Talk about criminals.  Between the so-call law and the tax collectors, it's nearly impossible for a girl to make a living."

To Lennox: "Sorry, could have sworn you said they had quarters upstairs.  I suppose it doesn't matter if we can come and go as we please.  Still, I'd prefer not to leave this place unguarded too long ... at least until Tursk gets his kin relocated.  It would be a pity to got through all this work and come back and find a orc tribe had moved in.

But I'm ready when everyone else is."

"Yes, upstairs, NOT down here. I doubt you'll find much, we haven't been entrenched here so long...." Lennox clarifies.

"Hanns? Is there a reason you're forthcoming with the foreknowledge and warnings, but dodging me about the portal stone?".

Probably because he doesn't want you running into danger and getting yourself killed.

Turning to the group, Tursk needs to bring his village back here again so we can finish up business with HER. We're going to have to convince them that this area is off limits. Who wants to volunteer to search for loot upstairs and help Tursk, while the rest of us go through the Way-stone to look for Culver?

Sister Aliana shrugged.
"I can do either, and I'll go wherever I'm needed."

"I know when to cut and run, I'm not suicidal. The longer we wait, the colder the trail gets and the liklier that he'll find dragons to enslave." Lennox says through gritted teeth, hand flexing on the pommel of his sheathed blade now, eyes still locked on Hanns. "I've never known a Librarian, alive or dead, to willingly withold information."

"I do not believe we should split up. If we are to go before looting, then we need out full strength all the more."

"If we can come back, then let's just go take care of this." Myarra agrees.  "We can always loot later.  If we get there and we're all not needed, we can just send somebody back.

Sir," she says, addressing Hanns the ghost. "Would you please give us the word or words necessary to use the magical thing?  We really should get after Culver if we can and stop him from making a bigger mess."

"Please do be careful." Hanns said to the group "The word is Alamnaleer. Only persons capable of casting spells of the 3rd order can operate the Way-stone."

Damn." Nox curses, already dismissing the fact that the answer had only come after another asked the question. He was only up to Second Order as yet. He turns his gaze around the group. Nods to Nolan, presuming he's the likliest among them for said execution.

Is everyone ready to go check out the otherside? If so, let's go and stick to our plan. If he's there, we deal with him. If not, we come back and help Tursk get his people here and get rid of the Dragon outside. Agreed?

Nolan waits next to the Waystone and puts his hand on it.

"Agreed." Myarra replies, readying her sword in case something is waiting for them on the other side.

Amara frowned, but nodded. Her pack could not hold the breastplate, so she let it be. But she tucked the bracers in her pack for now.

Aliana nodded eagerly.

Once everyone is around the waystone, Nolan speaks the magic word to transport everyone to the other side. Alamnaleer

Everyone gathers around the Way-stone and touches shoulders as Nolan speaks the command word. There is a flash of light and then you are standing around a moss covered Way-stone in a cleared out area of the forest. You never expected anyone to be there, as Myarra almost knocks over a girl who was scraping the moss off of the stone. There are three other people here as well, who are quite startled at your sudden appearance.

A solidly built dwarf with short brown hair and beard. His green/blue eyes mirror kindness, but hold an edge to them. He has several scars from battles in the past, the most obvious is a scar running down from his forhead, past his left eye and down his cheek. He wears armor and shield of the dwarven fashion, and the shield holds the crest of Clangeddin Silverbeard. His hammer is the most unique item with him...a solid head of dark iron with a blue tinge to the metal, with the emblem of Moradin on one side, and Clangeddin on the other. The handle is made of a stout oak and wrapped with a dark. Leather.

A human male, standing over 6 feet in height, who wears Full Platemail and a Greatsword, with a closed visor to his helmet as strangers suddenly appear...

Halfling male standing a little under 3 feet tall. His hair is a dirty blond mess of curls and his skin is a lightly tanned olive color from spending most of his time outside. He is quite good looking, yet given the fact that he appears almost as a small fortress in his full plate armor most would still find him quite eye catching anyways. With him is a riding dog. The Dog has the classical massive head of some mastiff breed yet thick matted white fur and a very broad back so it is rather unclear exactly what type he is.

A female human dressed in leathers standing almost 6 feet tall and thin of body, currently holding a dagger with moss on it.

It appears the group has stumbled upon an adventuring group. Looking around, Silver, Francis and Piebald are missing.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oona was scraping off moss and was about to translate some of the writing, when all of a sudden, people appear around the stone, touching shoulders.

A human stands around 6 feet in height and is pretty slender at 170 pounds. Dressed in regular normal clothes and a green cloak with soft boots, the young man appears to be in his early 20's. He has brown hair and brown eyes and has a stare that tells people that he's watching them, as if he was suspicious. He carries a dagger and wears a worn backpack on his back with his big spell book sticking out. Hanging around his neck is a silver chain with the Holy symbol of Mystra on it.

A very attractive youthful drow female, with exotic deep blue eyes and immensely long fine silvery hair, falling down to her ankles in flowing curls. She dresses in black and dark blue colored silks clothing trimmed in gold embroidery runes and a broad golden silk sash that emphasizes her slender figure, which is barely a spellcaster's robe, but pretty much an elegant dress with a hood.

A human male dressed in a chain shirt with a Greatsword, standing a tad under 6 feet with dark hair and eyes.

A female human??, one would assume her parents come from somewhere slightly even more remote.  Standing straight (which she tends to do around men that meet or exceed her height), she measures in at 6' 3".  Slim and well muscled, she's not physically that different from most warrior women, except for some extra traits not part of the standard human package.  Two horns stick out through the hair over her forehead (though if she fluffs it enough they're mostly hidden).  Harder to hide is the ashen-gray color of her skin.  And most damning of all are the large bat-like wings that protrude from her back.  Adding to the ambiance is her helmet, formed from the skull of a green dragon she killed in the Forest of Wyrms. Less amusing is the nearly six feet of razor sharp sword she holds easily in her hands, or the look she gives that says that when she sends you to the nine hells, you might just be able to visit with her relatives.

A female Sun Elf. Her large blue eyes always twinkle with merriment, and her long blonde hair seems to always flutter in the breeze. Though her prominent holy symbol shows her to be a cleric, it's obvious she's had intense combat training, both in the weapons of her faith, and her race. She always has a bow, plus the greatsword common to her church's warriors. Her armor and weapons are always very polished and cared for.

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Wed 13 Jan 2016.

Amara withholds a sigh, knowing full well that the first time most people see her they are either intrigued, if they are the sort who loved excitement with a bit of danger, or scared. And people tend to do one of two things when scared - fight or flee.

So she made little movement, but said only two words quietly, "Aliana? Introductions?" After all, the librarian had to be the least threatening of their group.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Wed 13 Jan 2016.

I didn't touch anything.  I swear.  Byron says to his friends at the sudden appearance of the new people.

Well I was expecting an ambush, but you guys seem just as startled to find others in this place as we are to find you here and now when no one was in sight.  Byron lowers his sword slowly.  Not totally trusting those who just appeared out of thin air.  However, their looks indicate the same surprise and they are not attacking yet even though they are certainly as prepared for combat as we are.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Wed 13 Jan 2016.

"Sorry," Myarra says to the girl with the mossy knife.  She almost holds out a gauntleted hand to steady her, but thinks better of it given that she's still holding her sword at the ready.

She glances around at the new people, taking in holy symbols related to various gods of Good.  That, at least is encouraging.  About to speak further, she hears Amara's request to Aliana and remains quiet. It's a good idea, as Aliana is by far the least threatening of them ... at least if you only go by looks.

Lowering her sword, she puts the point in its customary boot dimple and drapes and arm over the crossbar. It's about as non-threatening looking as she gets.  And it only takes a second to reclaim the sword if she ends up needing to be threatening.

Behind her back, her wings fold and unfold a few inches, possibly a nervous tic.

Oona nearly leaps out of her skin as she starts when the others appear out of no where like the man recently disappeared.  However, instead of fleeing she springs and scrambles to the top of the stone.  Perched in a defensive crouch she silently cursed her dumb luck.  Why had she touched the damn stone?  Surely the others would use this as their reason to leave her lying in a ditch.  "Yes, Aliana perhaps introductions are in order."  They were too close for her to be effective and too well armed for her to survive long enough to flee.  But why did she open her stupid mouth again?  She thought as she kept her crafting knife close even though it would do little in an actual fight should one start.

With the blinding flash, the dwarf, startled but not surprised, is already in a battle stance, his gleaming shield and hammer in hand. Once it's obvious that none of the group is a threat, the dwarf sighs.

"It seems this stone holds many suprises...", looking at the newcomers "...and an odd group it is. Two humans, an elf, a drow and a..." Looking at Myarra, he furrows his brow. "...beggen yer pardon miss, but i have no idea what you be."

Looking around, he smiles. "Be that as it may, i feel yer must be good of intentions, and i can't wait ter hear ya tale, so i bid yer welcome." He placed his shield over his back, and hung his war hammer off a loop on his hip."I be Alstadin, humble priest and faithful of Clangedden, at yer service"

The Sun elf in the shiny chain shirt blinked in surprise, looking for a moment like the humble librarian she once was, but recovered quickly.

Stepping forward, holding her empty hands out, she smiled tentatively.
"Um...hello, my friends.  We mean no harm, and are here trying to pursue an evil trying to harm and ravage this area.
I'm Sister Aliana Farwalker, priestess of Oghma, from the Great Library at Scornubel, and these are my friends."
She pointed to the 6 foot human with the Mystra holy symbol.
"This is Nolan, a great and powerful wizard."
She gestured to the drow woman.
"This is Amara, a skilled mage."
The elven maiden pointed at the chain shirt wearing human with the greatsword.
"This is Lennox, a talented swordsman."
Aliana then gestured to the winged woman.
"And this is Myarra, a skilled warrior..... and dear friend."

The elven cleric's additional words, obviously hastily added to her introduction of Myarra seemed to be intended to reassure the new people about the winged woman's trustworthiness, rather than elevate Myarra above the others in the group.

"We're in pursuit of an evil man who's stolen a powerful artifact of dreadful power, and I hope we haven't caused you too much inconvenience with our hasty arrival."
Aliana gave a sheepish grin.  She had a very personable way about her, very earnest and friendly, or at least was good at appearing so.
Though she did look a bit distressed about something.

The dwarf shifted, his plate mail creaking as he does. He smiles a half smile. "Knoledge god, hey elf....not bad. we also mean no harm, and may be able ter help with yer search." He crosses his arms and smiles. Pointing at the warrior with the greatsword, the dwarf continues. "This strappin' fellow is Byron, a true hearted warrior if ever i've seen..." Pointing at the woman near the pillar. "...th' woman yer startled is Oona , a fair archer and trap finder." And indicating behind him... "...and our halfling friend on th' big dog be Kalur...stout of heart and bravery."

He looks at his group, and shrugs, "And if yer following a messy old human that tends ter talk to himself named Culver, then yer just missed him." The dwarf pointed at the pillar. "..he muttered somethin' and disapeared just moments ago."

"A pleasure to meet you all, I'm sure.

Where did Culver go? And where are we?" Amara asked, still focusing on the strangers. A drow does not grow up if they are the trusting sort.

In reply to Amara (msg # 38):

We aren't sure.  He touched something on this stone and said something we didn't catch and then vanished.  As we were investigating this stone you folks appeared.  Byron replies as he holds out his hands to help Oona down.

Come on down Oona.  They don't mean us any harm.  Byron says in as a reassuring as possible and quiet voice.

Nox growls an inhuman gruttal sound when it's revealed that Culver had only just eluded them. Again. I'll have his throat for this... Rage seethes through him, and he's already stalking to the stone Culver departed via to investigate it. "This must be the hub, from here Nolan can take us to any stone... And if this is where Culver went, then it's where I intend to follow-- be it by stone, or by foot." Nox says for Nolan's benefit, as he searches for any indicators as to where the indicated stone might lead if Nolan activates it. "Did any of you hear what word he used to activate it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Wed 13 Jan 2016.

"Pleasure to meet you all," Myarra lied the required civilized greeting.  It's not that she didn't like these people, but she'd just met them so, really, how was she supposed to know?

To Alstadin's query about her origins she replies, "I'm a warrior of the Anauroch.  I wouldn't expect you to recognize it.  I've had to change my outfit because of the different weather, and I'm afraid my tan has faded rather badly under these accursed trees."

She then turns her attention to the stone as well.  "Would there be a different word to make it work?  Hanns said there were dozens of places you could go.  It would be hard for anyone to remember dozens of words and which ones went where.  If he touched the stone as well, that may be how you pick where you go.

Did any of you see what part of the stone Culver touched.  It would narrow down the options."

 The dwarf scratched his beard. "Sorry ter tell ya lass, but we were hiding by the bushes.....didn't get a clear look."

He looked at the others "...though the others may have sharper eyes than mine."

He again looks at Myarra with a smile, though he himself felt usual tension in his body. A drow and a woman that looked part demon or dragon stood in front of him, and his honed instincts begged for him to take up arms. But his training had also told him that things were never as they seemed. A elf would never travel with a drow unless they were good of nature.

Alstadin snapped of his moment of thought, and looked at Myarra. "I haven't heard of yer kind, and i think that would make for a good story.....but maybe fer some other time." He looked at the other three and shrugged. "I may be oversteppin' my boundaries with me other friends here, but if yer hunting the man, i would love ter help ye, as i'm sure my friends would."

Amara cocked her head slightly to the side, now focusing on the dwarf. "We have indeed come through hunting Culver for his crimes. But why are you four here? Have you also had experience with him?"

Kalur was slightly startled by the sudden appearance and Mountain more so, the dog immediately started a low rumbling growl as he watched the new comers. After a moment when the little halfling realized they meant no harm, at least for the moment he lightly caressed the massive dog's fluffy white head lightly hushing the animal. As Alstadin took the initiative to introduce him little Kalur gave a rye smile. "Kalur Blackleaf, holy liberator and protector of halfling kind at your service." He said amiably with a nod of his head. "Afraid we heard and saw not, we were to far away... And after looking at the stone there are too many choices. Yet, I assume the name carver for each will take you to it..." He added thoughtfully.

The dwarf looked at the drow. "No real experience other than today. we were looking fer him...a group of us were send to fund the stones he's holdin' by a scholar by the name of brother Xian. Today we managed to track a path and we're waiting. He came along, saw us, said somethin' then vanished."

Oona slides back down to the ground and straightens herself now that it is clear they aren't in immediate danger.  However, she does give each of them a once over to see just how safe they really are...

Sense to see who are Arcane Casters w/in 60'

...as she listened she wondered how the one who led them through the stone had used it to get here.  As normal, if she wondered something it wasn't long before she spoke up, "We were thinking that one needed to touch the area with the word and speak the elvish term to activate it.  Is that close?"  She cringed inwardly at that last part.  Way to go simpleton, show them that you have no bloody idea how this thing works why don't you.  She looked at Alstadin as if to say sorry for being eternally daft and proving it yet one more time.

Accepting that they weren't going to have to fight these new people, or at least not now, Myarra lifts her sword and swings it up over shoulder and down between her wings, securing in the back scabbard.

"Sounds like as good an idea as any," she says, agreeing with Oona.  "But I'm sure Nolan and Amara can figure it out.  It's the kind of thing I leave to them."

"Yes." Nox replies to Oona. "Though one must also be able to cast spells of the Third Sphere." That bit is said sourly, as his own abilities were just shy of such a feat. He searches the hub stone for any hint of where Culver might have touched it, or might have gone, or... Anything really, to distract his frustration.

"Brother Xian? Is he of Clangedden? It does not sound a dwarven name to me." Amara said, wondering who else would know of the stones and what exactly they wanted with them.

The dwarf smiled at the drow. Despite her heritage, Alstadinrespected her thirst for knowledge, and her respect to others. In time, he may even call her friend.

" Nah, lady Amara...he is not of my order. i think he is a monk." He looked at the new people. From the brief encounter he had with them, he was surprised. Amana and Myarra seemed to be the calmest, and level headed of the group, which was a little bit ironic given their heritage. Lennox, wether agitated by the suituation or something else, seemed to be treating his team with a thin veil of hostility or anger.

This group was really a curiosity.

The dwarf bowed to Amara with a smile. "Well, if ye need some extra warriors, perhaps one that has humble healing skills, and antrapfinder and archer, then maybe ye'll see kind lettin' us tag along with ye."

Nolan was definitely fascinated with the main way-stone as he looked the thing over and brushed off more moss from the thing. He was smiling as he read a couple of the names and places from the magical carvings.

Brother Xian is a guardian of the balance stones. He has a little hut on the East side of the forest and a nice little garden he tends to. If he sent you into the forest to try and find the others, then I trust you 100%. Culver was carrying an orb, not a stone, but if you want to travel with us, I'm sure we'll find him and the stones you need. There's 72 combinations here that Culver might have taken, so let's look at the choices that don't have moss stains on them.

Oona wasn't sure if it would help, but she offered "Yes, yes yes! I got it! Nobody will stop Culver now! I will rule this whole forest and everyone will bow to me!" in a mimicry of Culver's voice that wasn't great but got the point across.  She also stood where he had nearly in the same position while she spoke.  She looked to the newcomers and spoke then in her own slightly raspy voice, "Maybe that will help you narrow down the selections."  Clearly she had some hidden talents not represented by her simple appearance and overly humble mannerisms.

Disguise is only a 9 but Track is a 25 to make sure she's in the right spot

"Hmm ... I met a monk once ... at least I'm pretty sure that's what Thumbless Tom called him." Myarra adds.  "Didn't get his name.  In fact he didn't speak at all.  He lived in a little hut ... well more a bunch of sticks tied together, up in the Desertsmouths.  I was crossing over into the Dalelands, trying to find a pass, and having a tough time of it.  Those mountains are кровавый cold.

Anyway, I'm climbing up this rock face, clinging by my fingers and toes, and just as I'm finally reaching the top, this face comes poking over the edge and offers me a hand. Even then I was twice his weight, but he pulled me up like I was made of ferns.

Really nice guy.  Gave me mountain goat stew, a mountain goat hide wrap, mountain goat hide boots, and a crude map draw on ... you guessed it ... mountain goat hide.  Wouldn't take anything in payment. Just smiled, bowed, and crawled back into his hut.

Is this Brother Xian anything like that?"

The dwarf smiled at Nolan....Alstadin had only limited information on the stones, and listening to Nolan it sounded lie, he had quite a bit of information on them. He looked at Myarra with a smile. "A little bit.  His hut is simple, and his garden plentiful....but he was a serious fellow, focused and smart. from tne sounds of it, yer friend Nolan knows a bit more about him than we do."

"It is your choice to join or not, not ours. But without knowing where Culver has gone, we do not follow him now. We have another mission to complete first. That was our agreement - was it not?" Amara said, turning to give a look hard as flint at Lennox.

Can you tell us what your other mission is or some details of it?  If they coincide with our mission I would be happy to join you and help you.  As I'm sure my friends would be too.  Giving a meaningful but discrete look at my friends to say this may be the best way to track Culver and the stone/orb.

The area where Oona stood, mimicking Culver doesn't really help much when you look at the Way-stone. Sure, there is some moss on that side, but 59 selections are uncovered that Culver could have touched to get out of this area. That's also when you notice that the selections are the same for each side.

Kalur nods in agreement with Byron. "Right as long as it isn't to different from our mission why not." He says with a cheerful ring to his voice. Looking back at the monolith he shrugs. "Like I said before this is a guessing game, not a puzzle so we might as well just choose a place at random... Unless your second mission as a specific place that can be gleamed from the stone." He said with a laugh. "Anyways I doubt he will just be standing around the stone waiting for us to make our choice so he is most likely long gone already..."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Fri 15 Jan 2016.

Lennox follows Oona's re-enactment with interest, recognizing the reproduction for what it is immediately. When it doesn't turn up anything of use, his shoulders slump. He sheaths his greatsword with a heavy sigh, and leans against the Waystone. "Well played. Almost brought a smile to my face." He admits almost sheepishly to Oona.

Alstadin looks at the others. "either way, I'm in. Sittin' too long without a decent fight anyway.  Besides, if Byron's taggin' along, i gotta keep aneye on him."  He winks at the human playfully. "Can't have yer getting into fun without me boy"

Seeing the others weren't speaking up, Amara summarized things briefly.  "We are removing a section of the Cult of the Dragon from a ruins, as well as relocating lizardfolk, in order to make way for a dragon who claims it use to be her land. For the Cult, because they are evil. For the lizardfolk, because otherwise the dragon would kill them."

Kalur nods. "They all sound like noble goals, you can count me and Mountain in!" He said cheerfully. The large dog let out an agreeable bark, though it is unclear if he understood what was said or merely was excited at hearing its own name...

I will be right back.

I walk back to where we were hiding when we first saw Culver and bring back my war horse.  Soothing him as I do so.  The new comers seem to have made him jittery.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Sat 16 Jan 2016.

Introductions have been made and everyone knows who Culver is now, but nobody knows where he went using the Way-stone. There are 72 total choices that, once touched and the magic word said, will take you to that spot in the forest. The Stones of Balance were confirmed to still be in the forest by Brother Xian, but he knew not where. He just needs them brought back to him, so he can align all three to patch a part of the weave that is torn. Finding Culver and looking for the Stones will be difficult and dangerous, so both groups have agreed to join together as an alliance. Their main enemies will be the Dragons of the Forest, the Cult of the Dragon and whatever else that has decided to take up residence in the ruins of some old building somewhere in the forest...

So which way are we heading now?  I would hate to waste the rest of the day standing around when we have work to do.

I get up on my horse.

Well Byron, we have to first find out how to get back to where we came from by cleaning off this Way-stone and looking for the selection labeled "Library" or "Hanns the Librarian" or "Northern Library". Something in Elvish that establishes the selection as a library. That will take us back so we can help the Lizardfolk reclaim the upper part of the library so SHE can have her home back that the Lizardfolk are currently inhabiting. SHE is a gargantuan Green Dragon who is not like the others in the forest. She likes to mettle in mortal affairs and uses us to do her dirty work in exchange for HER not killing us or the little village of Daak. So, we're stuck helping her. Her name is Satin, but we call her HER, just in case she can hear us call her her real name. But, for now, we should head back to the library and I'm sure Hanns has plenty of information about the Stones of Balance and where they could be found.

Nox frowns, looking to Piebald. He'd never agreed to any such terms of servitude and was leary about being caught up in them. "Since the trail has gone cold, I'll accompany you back to The Library... Maybe Hanns will know which way I should go next. I don't like loose ends, that cult cell was our assignment. And fun as you've all been, I'm happy to keep free and clear of whatever arrangements you've made with Satin..." The way Lennox says the name implies that he's fluent in Draconic. "... Much as I enjoy the conversation and company of Dragons... Servitude isn't really my style."

Lennox looks around for Piebald, but he isn't there. Neither is Francis, nor Silver.

"It's not servitude. It's keeping her from destroying a village that has only us for protection." Amara replied, frowning. She was not thrilled with the situation either, but the only other way she saw it working was if they seriously thought they could kill Satin, and that was not something she believed they were yet capable of doing.

Sister Aliana looked around.
"Um...where did our other friends go?"
She was particularly concerned about the handsome swordsman, but tried not to show it.

"I imagine, looting the place," Amara replied darkly.

Nox frowns. "Well and good, but I have a mission and contract of my own... Odd, I cannot fathom Piebald having not following-- we're both charged with this." He too looks about, having noted his companions absence.

Oona lists off the possible choices for the others in case they can't ready all of the writing.  She notes any similarities or oddities in the list as well.

New thread created for reference.

link to a message in this game

Nolan,  Tom pauses for a moment considering how to phrase his next statement to the person he just addressed.  This may or may not have any bearing on how you wish to deal with HER, but ummmm she may have been behind an orc attack on Daak sometime back.  I don't know any of the details about the attack itself. And outside of the attack itself everything else I have heard is rumor and speculation.  Being from Soubar myself it is possible and more probable that our paths have crossed in the past because you do seem familiar to me in a way that your companions do not. 

"That name," Amara said, pointing to one of the sigils, "Is the name on the journal that they had," Amara informed the others. "That location is probably one they are familiar with. If we wish to see if Culver went anywhere, that would be my best guess."

Nox smiles fiercely at the drow, eyes full of mischief and promise. "I might come around on liking you yet." He almost laughs, clearly the notion of having a trail to follow again was raising his spirits.

"We shall hope that the feeling will be mutual," Amara replied evenly.

The dwarf frowned at the suituation. Alstadin disliked dragons, but knew this was the area for them.

"I don't like that we follow th' oreders of a evil wyrm, but if it's ter protect a village, then i've got yer back...and by clangedden's beard, if she betrays us or goes back on her word, then SHE will find me hammer up her reptillian tail" For even his old group, this is the most serious and passionate you have heard him.

He looked at them all. "Let us find this human, and may clangedden's foes tremble at our passin'" The last said was more of the dwarfs old humor.

"Sorry, " Myarra suddenly pipes up, having been silent for so long.  "I was just remembering Silver's butt in the public baths back in Daak.  Little bastard was such a pervert, but ...." she sighs and then rejoins the conversation, leaving the stone and the magic up to those that like that sort of thing.

"Anyway, we don't really take orders from Her Gaseousiness.  It's more we fix problems for her, but we do it our way.  For example, I'm sure she expected us to kill the lizard folk.  Instead we convinced them to move.  Granted it's back to their old home where they'd rather be anyway, and we may just gain some allies in the process.  But still, we'd all be happier if we could get rid of her forever.  Maybe an orb that controls dragons would be useful?

And speaking of magic, Nolan, remember we need to destroy or move whatever it is that makes magic not work before the lizardmen all leave and Her Annoyingness moves back in.  Our deal was to evict the lizardmen, she never said anything about not breaking anything in the process."

In reply to Myarra (msg # 80):

Myarra, I'm really good at breaking things.  Just ask Alstadin.  Sorry about your second favorite mace too. Giving a sly grin in his friend's direction.

"Sorry to interrupt, but it seems that you mentioned Libraries before and there are two listed.  Then there are these markings saying 'Hachaam Selorn' but I don't recognize that as a family name I've heard of...not that I get around much."  The leather clad rogue motioned to where the libraries were and the name she was mentioning.  As she did she continued to watch how the other group interacted.  It was as if they trusted each other but also didn't want to actually travel together.  There was a dynamic she couldn't quite understand.  Perhaps if she hadn't been double crossed so many times in her past she would be able to make sense of it.

Soubar, huh? Maybe you've seen me going into town? I've been there countless times over the years. As for the Orc attack on Daak, a medusa is responsible for the attack. She showed up in a fake circus performance at the village and turned the audience to stone who watched, then the Orcs came and started killing. It was a bad time, but I don't think Satin would do such a thing. I'm still betting the Cult because they ambushed Myarra and a couple others, no longer with us, on the road while they were coming back from Soubar.



Hachaam Selorn. He's one of the instructors for the East Wizard tower. Kind of a snob. Library North is what we need to select to go back to Hanns, Aqueduct is probably that underground water mess that we snuck into the Cult complex with and one of these Mine selections might take us underground where we encountered that Umberhulk.



That area is well beyond my powers. The place was probably a Temple at some point in the past and with some mighty retributions if you commit violence within. I think it best to let the gods sort that one out.



Yes, there are two libraries. The one in the North, which we will be visiting, and the one to the South, which I think might be Lyran's Hold, which used to be one of the original Wizard Towers of old, until Lyran turned into a Lich and warped the place into evil.

"Is there a map of these places? I can go afoot if you're intent to returning to your own obligations..." Lennox says after Nolan declares his intention to return to the Library and Hanns. He'd hoped Amara's notion might sway others to his cause, but without Nolan there appeared no other means beyond walking.

Kalur listened intently and vaguely lost as he tried to keep up with all the back and forth. He always enjoyed the banter of a group and was glad to hear that they most likely wouldn't be blindly trying random sites, especially after Nolan told them a bit about the different locations.

Alstadin smiled at Byron "Don't ye fret boy...that was a spare. and ye'll find this ol' boy here..." he says, tapping the warhammer at his side. "...is more hardy than he looks.  Got an enchantment on it an' blessed by th' church, so packs a punch."

The dwarf lets out a shrill, long whistle, and a Ram pads into the clearing with a saddle...a ram the size of a pony.  The ram walks part way over, then stops and glares at the dwarf. "Damn ye Brankx, get yer furry butt over here of i'll be havin' ram steaks fer dinner." The ram bleats and turns it's back on him and starts munching on some grass.  The priest walks over, muttering and you'd almost swear the Ram has a smile on it's face. "Damn stuborn ram....when in battle ye listen, but any other time ye be as thick headed as a giant"

The Dwarf reaches into the saddlebag and pulls out a wineskin, taking a drink. "Wherever ye be going, i'm rerady"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:09, Tue 19 Jan 2016.

"Pity." Myarra replies to Nolan. "I really hate leaving Her Bitchiness in charge of a place like that.  It will make her even more dangerous.

Nox, please stop fretting.  We will go after Culver as soon as we can.  Clearly that is not going to be right now since we have absolutely no way to track him.  But no matter where he goes, or what he does, we will find him and kill him.  If he presses a dragon or two to his service, we'll kill them as well.  My priorities may be a bit stretched at the moment, but I always fulfill my promises. And the death of Culver is a promise."

Myarra's again glances over at the rest of the newcomers.  A dwarf, two humans, and another of those lings.  She'd only met the one before.  Who'd declared the whole group of them to be evil and had stalked off in a huff.  If it had just been her, or even her and Amara, maybe he'd have had a reason to believe that.  But Aliana?  That took some serious insanity.  Hopefully this new one would be easier to work with.

"So, Kalur," she begins.  "I'm not really familiar with lings.  Where do your people come from?  And do you all have some kind of arrangement with the dogs of your region?"

Lennox frowns at Myarra. "Fret? I'm not 'fretting'. Amara has presented a lead on where Culver may have run, a lead that I will follow up on. Your priorities have little impact on my question regarding a map, nor do they present any personal obligations that will deter me. If none of you have a map, so be it... I'll accompany you back to the library and search for one there."

Oona approaches Nolan, "Sorry to bother you.  But you seem to know a good deal about these stones and the places they lead.  You don't happen to know of others on the list do you?"

Kalur gives Myarra a strange rye sort of smile as she inquires about halflings. </purple>"Come from?"</purple> He says with a laugh. "We come from everywhere and no where...At least my clan does." He says with a laugh. "I come from traders, and my clansmen spans the continent, most of which are constantly traveling. Each family has their own territory more or less though there is much in the way of overlapping and there are also those like my immediate who set down roots in a specific town or city to act as a store front and safe haven for the rest." He says with a pleasant thoughtful look of reminiscing.

Then his eyes fall upon Mountain's mass. "As for dogs, though most of my clansmen have animals of burden most aren't dogs. Dogs are trust worthy, loyal, smart, and good in a fight. However, they aren't good at haling and carrying heavy loads so although there are some dogs kept around for protection and hunting those who ride them are few. Most of my clansmen use Baxi, ponies, mules, donkeys, horses, and even the odd oxen, heck I have heard tale of a rather mad uncle that took to riding pigs." He continued in with a self deprecating laugh. "In fact for my clansmen and for many halflings, riding dogs and other such mounts meant solely for battle hold a special place in our communities and are a sign of being a protector of our people."

The dwarf smiled at Kalur...even though a halfling, a race often prone to laziness, he was steadfast, both in skill and devotion. Something he recognised and could relate to. And though Brankx had tried to take a bite from his mount, the dog quickly turned and snarled at the ram.

...that was a good day for Alstadin.

He looked at Myarra, a little concern in his eyes. The casual way she spoke of killing a person, even one as evil and demented as Culliver, concerned him. It was a fine line...one the dwarf had walked in the past.

"Let us to th' library then." He said, slapping Brankx on the rump.

The ram turned and butted the dwarf on the shoulder.

Alstadin glared at him, muttering "Damn ram"

Nolan never ceased to amaze Amara. She had no idea where he was getting this information from. Sure, he was much older than he looked, but if he knew so much, how had he not known about this in the first place?

She shook her head slightly. He was also the only one who could determine where they would go. She wanted to get back, personally. She suspected Francis and the others who did not come with were looting the ruins, something she fully understood and felt that the group should be doing. But she did not like that those were going to have their choice of the pickings without anyone even seeing what they had taken.

She also believed Culver was a threat and needed to be dealt with. But they had only one clue, and that one was not as strong as one would hope.

So she left the matter to Nolan, with his superior knowledge. Besides, he was the only one that could operate the gate.

In the meanwhile, she watched the others, suspicious by nature, although silent about it. It seemed to her that Oona was somewhat similar. And the halfling and dwarf seemed warriors, acting steadfast. Time would tell if they were.

Ummmm, did you guys check this library for information on the locations and other "known facts" about these stones while you were there?  If not it would seem to be a good a place to start.  Although some sore of magic user's library might be a good place to look as well.

Byron's friends could tell how nervous he was discussing knowledge about something that he apparently had little knowledge of with those who seemed to know much more about the subject than he.  Even Oona is a little surprised by Byron's nerves as she has seem him walk into the middle of 5 to 1 odds with no doubt that who would be the victor in such cases.

"We had no time." Amara replied simply to Byron.

Now that we have seen Hachaam Selorn here on the Waystone, we are definitely checking that out first. If we see something, then we investigate. If not, we come back here, then back to the library to question Hanns.



Nolan smiled at the young lady and seemed to stare a bit since a woman was paying him attention, but quickly got back on topic.

The places I have named are just speculation based on where we have been before. Some of the names seem familiar, but at the same time, I'm drawing a blank. But, I'm sure as we look for Culver and the Stones of Balance, we'll be able to identify more.

Turning to the group, We have one lead and I think we should investigate the Waystone that leads to Hachaam Selorn's place. He was a powerful wizard instructor and his hands would have definitely been involved with the Orb, the Waystones and the Stones of Balance. That's a really good place to start. I think everyone should go over, but once over there, I think Aliana should check out the area for tracks to see if there is any sign of Culver. If not, we all come back here, then to the library. Does this plan sound good?

Nox was about to say something, but bites his tongue as Nolan speaks... A grin creases his face, mixed with relief at not having to walk.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:22, Wed 20 Jan 2016.

Amara simply nodded.

"If we have a clue, then by all means, let's check it out." Myarra agrees, once more unsheathing her greatsword and dropping the point onto her boot in its normal 'ready' position.  She's well aware that ready to go for a wizard might mean seconds, or it might mean minutes.

"Interesting," she replies to Kalur.  "I come from a very short line of traders.  Well, technically just one trader.  Then there were my own, rather unsuccessful attempts.

I just find it strange that you're only the second ling I've run across.  And I spent a good deal of time in the Dalelands.  Surely your people would live there as well?  How could I not have noticed them?  Plenty of elves and dwarves.  And humans are like the bugs of this forest, crawling all over you whether you like it or not," she gives a shudder and, as if to prove the point, picks some kind of beetle out of her hair and tosses it away.

"My people didn't have much use for dogs.  Our hunting companions were cats.  But not the city kind.  The ones as big as Mountain, if not a bit larger.  Sandy colored fur to blend in with the sands.  Could bring down a Zhentarim or a Bedine off its horse with equal ease.  Good friends to have but, of course, we're a bit too large to ride them.

So, if you're from trader roots, what took you down the holy protector road?"

Oona made a mark in the ground as if to test its firmness before remarking, "I can give you a hand with tracking miss Aliana."  Her own group had come to know that Oona was quite good at reading tracks.  In fact, she was far better than she should be as demonstrated on a few occasions at night.

"So, what do we need to do to go with you?  I hate to assume that because you all appeared holding onto each other we would have to do the same.  But is there a limit to this magic?  What of my companions' mounts?"  She looked to the others who opted to travel on mounts.

Well, Oona, I honestly don't know if there is a limit to the magic here. But, Yes, we have to touch each other while surrounding the Waystone and that would include your mounts. As for our friends that are currently missing, they probably stopped touching at the last second to go and raid the complex for treasures. If you too are a tracker, please start looking as soon as we arrive on the other side. That will help out a lot.

Well it seems we have a starting point to continue our search for Culver.  For the time being I think it is in our collective best interests to cooperate with each other and to go to this library to see what more information we can find out about these way stones and their locations.

The little halfling smiled warmly at Myarra. "Well my people are very well known for their ability to go unseen; yet, for you to not have noticed any is still rather strange." He said. "Yes, I have heard of such great cats but never seen them myself. It would be quite interesting to get to meet some I am sure they would be quite interesting!" He continued warmly. "I wonder if you could ride them..." He added out loud mostly to himself. He shrugged slightly. As to how I took up the sword, well I grew up in Asbravn hearing amazing stories from the Red Cloaks and travelers of great adventures, fighting bandits and monsters, and other such tales. I always dreamed of going on my own, though for the longest time it was little more than that dream." He said laughing at himself. "It wasn't until I met my uncle who was a true halfling outrider that I saw a way to truly become a hero and protector, and although I am not a true one yet I aim to be a true hero of my people in the future." He said smiling warmly.

And so, while everyone is getting to know each other, you all agree to see what's on the other side of the Way-stone when Nolan selects Hachaam Selorn. The adventurers who have mounts touch them, while touching the next person in line until the loop reaches around the Magical Transporter. Nolan speaks the magical word and in a flash, you all are in a different place. It appears that Oona and Nolan now know the magical limits of the device can handle this small group.

The group doesn't step away from the area like instructed before, but instead of a Way-stone pillar, there is a 5 foot tall 2 foot diameter rock floating and rotating in place near what appears to be ruins of a building.

http://s20.photobucket.com/use...zpssbtc6wtk.png.html

Oona and Aliana, please give me Tracking Rolls.

Once they are there, Amara glances around.

Once safe, she lets go of the hands of her neighbors and takes a step back. She gives a little whistle and a hummingbird, apparently having hidden in her bodice, flitted out. It hovered for a moment in front of her face, then zipped into the air and around the area.

Lennox scans the clearing with his eyes, unwilling to move until the trackers give the clear to do so-- but he does stand at the ready with his greatblade in hand.

Byron pulls out his crossbow as he looks around for danger but doesn't move yet.

Well that is an interesting way of travelling.  I'm not sure I would recommend it for travel all the time.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:21, Thu 21 Jan 2016.

Myarra turns slowly in a circle, making sure only to step in her own footprints while gazing around them, looking for anything that might be dangerous.

"You need to try the magic doors in the towers.  Makes me queasy just thinking about them."

Kalur takes in a deep breath steadying himself. "Indeed not the most comfortable way to travel." He says nodding. Like the others he draws his lance and looks around for threats.

Oona starts to look about the ground and low brush almost immediately after arriving.  Although she is a bit befuddled by the sensation of transportation she fights through the fog.

Tracking: 21

Sister Aliana seemed fascinated by everything, but got to work helping with looking for tracks.


OOC:01:33, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  tracking.

Alstadin looks uncomfortable, but shakes his head and smiles.  "It may not be normal, but beats roadsores, dust and knats."

The Dwarf, holding Brankx, lets him go (Who bleats in annoyance), then swats him on the rump.  He unshoulders his shield, and looks around...ready in case anything happens

I don't know, I thought it was quite enjoyable. It felt like I blinked and then I was here. Anyways, what have our trackers found? Not really many places to hide here. Just what's left of a small tower stairs?

Amara's little Hummingbird friend flies out of it's hiding spot in her clothes and flies around to take a look as Amara looks at her surroundings. Oona and Aliana immediately look at the ground for any tracks as they look for the signs of anyone or anything in the area. The hummingbird doesn't spot anything of interest except another hummingbird flying around. Amara scanned the area while the trackers were doing their thing, but she doesn't see anything out of the ordinary. Oona and Aliana both agree that nothing has been in this area for a couple weeks and that track was a medium sized dragon. So, the party gets nothing from their possible lead. Culver is not here. What is here is a ruin of a tower from long ago. From what's left of the ruins, it looks like it was well built, but that's about all you can tell from your location near the Way-stone.

Nox watches the nearby ruin warily, awaiting word to move.

"Flicka does not see anyone or anything of interest nearby," Amara announced. At least nothing that mattered to the others. She waved a hand, indicating to Flicka that she could spend some time with the other hummingbird if she chose.

Well, since we are here a quick look around won't hurt us will it?  You never know what we could find.

"Culver is no novice, and is canny in his use of subtle magicks... He may be invisible. I'm going to give that tower a once over before dismissing Amara's lead..." Nox looks once more to the trackers for any objections before starting in that direction.

The dwarf shrugs, looking at Byron and Lennox. "If yer goin' in fer a look, i'll come too. wouldn't want ter miss any fun." He looks at Byron. "...besides, i gotta keep an eye on you...keep yer outa trouble."

In reply to Alstadin Mithrilforge (msg # 118):

You know won't have any fun unless I find a way to get us into trouble.  Byron replies to his friend in with a good chuckle.

Let's take an hour or so to look around closer.  While Culver doesn't appear to have come this way recently we might find some more clues about where these things take us.

"Let's take as little time as possible," Amara said, unhappy with the prospect of the others likely looting the place.

I agree with as little time as possible, but we do need to be thorough in our search for clues about Culver and the names/locations of these "way stones". 

Byron starts to look around near the stairs at first slowly moving out from them.

Byron Rockhead rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Spot Check.

Being invisible will not hide his foot prints, but go ahead and look around if you want. I detected no magic within our area.

"There are other spells for that." Lennox says wryly, stepping off towards the tower.

I'm not going to argue. Have fun exploring. When we're done here, we'll go back to Hanns.

I wonder what this place looked like before it was left in ruins.   Or is it an illusion and there really is something here we are not seeing correctly.

With a gesture, Amara began to float in the air, rising higher and higher, giving her a better look around. She looked for anything that seemed out of place, but especially for a humanoid.

Oona turned her attention to this floating stone which would deliver them to their next location.  She looked for any signs of writing on it like the last.

Kalur watched the others getting busy, it was all quite interesting. Unfortunately his skills were not in the tracking down of clues and hidden things, so he left it to those who were apt.

Even surrounded by others, Myarra didn't feel this place was in any way 'safe'.  So while the others explored, she keep herself alert, looking for anything out of place or threatening.

No area in the Forest of Wyrms is safe. That's why this place is called that. Amara levitates into the air to look around, but she doesn't see anything out of the ordinary. Oona looks at the Way-stone on this side and doesn't find any writing on it like the one she just left 10 minutes ago. Besides some dirt and some old moss, this stone is just floating and rotating slowly around and around. Searching around to find anything of interest, Alstadin, being a Dwarf, would note that if there were stairs leading to an old tower on this small hill, there sure is a lot of rubble lying around.

OOC: Looks like I fell through the cracks? Nox is walking up towards the tower

As the otehrs start walking, the dwarf sniffed and narrowed his eyes.  he looked around, then again at the ruin. "THere be a lot o' rubble around, indicating it was a large place." He looked at Lennox and Byron. "Keep an eye out boys...i'm bettin' there will be stairs leading down somewhere, or an openin' to a basement or lower level...may even be intact."

The dwarf pulls his warhammer from the loop and has his shield ready.

With a clearer notion on something to look for, Nox turns his attentions towards looking for that which Alstadin suggested...

Everyone looks around the old ruins for possible enemies, some of the party looking for passageways in the old ruins themselves for possible old treasure, but just looking at all the debris on the ground, if there is treasure in an old basement, it would take quite some time to dig the place up with someone familiar with how the tower looked or a professional Stonemason.

Nolan looked around, but didn't see anything until Alstadin mentioned something about the ruins and how it could hold a basement because of it's location. This intrigued Nolan.

Note to self: Bring Iron Golems here to dig this place up. How many of those do I have, Myarra? Amara? Do either of you even remember where I left them?

Amara raised an eyebrow at Nolan from where she was, high overhead. "I think it is time to go."

I think Amara is right.  It is time to go. I bring my horse back to the way stone and cringe at the thought of another journey through this thing.

Nox returns from his climb, a soured expression on his face. "No sign of an entrance, no sign of Culver. Nine Hells we were too slow." He kicks a loose rock to emphasize his curse, then leaps the last three steps down to the floor amid those others that had loitered.

The little halfling shrugs to Nox. "I am not sure he was here to begin with..." He looks to the others. "So on to the Library?" He says in a cheerful voice.

"Too slow to the previous location, the hub. Had we reached it faster, maybe we'd have caught Culver then and there." Lennox corrects, seemingly immune to Kalur's cheer.

"Ahh!" He squeaked excitedly. "True, very true!" He said nodding. "Even still, 'might have beens and what ifs' are a waste of time. We can spend our lives thinking of these things, or we could be doing." He said nonplussed.

Alstadin looks at Lennox with raised eyebrows and couldn't help but smile at the halfling's comments. "ai, too true there Kalur....there be no point in dwellin' on the past." He looks at the ruins with a sour look. "It would've been nice to have time to look more, but time is against us."

He shakes his head, grabs the reigns of Brankx (who bleats and pulls against it for a moment). "To th' library....and perhaps a lead to pur elusive prey"

Amara called her hummingbird back to her and floated gently back to the ground, ready to go.

After the quick search of Hachaam Selorn's ruins provided nothing, the group gathers around the spinning Way-stone again as Nolan says the magical word to take you all back to the main Way-stone where you all met. In a blink of an eye, you're there and nothing has changed since the 15 minutes you left the area. Nolan then looks for the Library (selection 55), says the magical word and in a blink of an eye, all of you are underground in a well lit library (Area G-27 on Game Map U).

For Alstadin, Byron, Kalur and Oona, the underground area is well lit by glowing sconces on the wall. Almost all the wall space is covered with shelves filled with books. There is a thin layer of dust on the ground, broken now that the party found this place, and a spinning stone, that you all are standing around, that is similar to the one at Hachaam Selorn's ruins. There is a stairway going up at location FF-26-27 area that looks like it used to be filled with rock and debris from a cave in.

For the rest of the group that has already been here, the bodies are gone.

Amara looked around, suspicious. She had stripped these bodies of valuables, but the area had not yet been explored, let alone searched.

Alstadin looked around at the underground vault and smiled....it reminded him of his home, books and torches underground. He looks at the dust, noticing some disturbances, but lots overall.  He went to speak, but noticed Amara's look.  He furrowed his brow.

"Ye been here before?" He states more than asks. He looks around and sniffs.

"Piebald?" Nox asks out loud, heedless of any threats which might be lying in ambush... Hoping it was the three left behind who had cleared the bodies... And not some other agency. "Hanns?"

"Indeed," Amara replied. "We just killed some people of the cult Culver belonged to as well as their pet ogres, met a ghostly librarian, and freed some lizardfolk. We went after Culver to avoid loose ends, but have not yet explored this place." She did not add that some members of their loose confederation did not join them at the last moment, leading her to suspect ill intent upon their behalf.

She moved away from the group, looking to see if the armor that she had left was still here or not.

"Trolls." Nox corrects absently.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:24, Thu 28 Jan 2016.

Kalur looked around and a frown washed over his face as he listened to the others. 'Troll?" He said lifting his eyebrow. "Did you kill it kill it, or just kind of kill it?" He asked tentatively.

Upon hearing the comments from Amara, Alstadin looks around, every shadow holding an enemy.  He unbuckled his war hammer and shield.  "If yer killed people and a ogre, troll, whatever....where are the bodies. i doubt they got up and walked away..." He looked at Kalur, the same thought as the halfling has. "...unless the troll had life left in him still."

He looked around, a little perplexed. "A troll wouldn't move bodies...more eat them, and theres no sign of blood here."

"We burned the troll bodies," Amara confirmed as she continued looking around. If she was embarrassed about her mistake, it didn't show.

I steady my horse after the trip through the way stones, then start to look around.  Moving closer to a large collection of books and trying to read their titles without touching anything yet.

Has anyone looked for a book on these travelling stones or ask about one? 

"Alstadin? Is that you?" a ghostly image materialized at location Q-27 "Kalur? Oona? Byron? I don't remember who owned the goat, but it better not chew on my books again."

Alstadin smiles at the familiar voice. "Th' goat is mine, and i'll get him out in th' open quickly Hanns....and it's good to here ya voice again." He relaxes a bit at the voice, but looks around. "Seems quite a bit has happened since we last saw ye Hanns...perhaps we all need to talk."

"Um.  Who's Hanns?  And, please help me understand why I'm not looking for a priest right now..."  Oona looked like she might crawl out of her skin at the sound of a ghost who knows her name.  Maybe this was some kind of gag they were playing on the new girl.

It's hard to explain, but if he knows who you are, you best better believe it. Yes, he's a ghost, but he's on our side and highly knowledgeable on everything in here.

Turning to Hanns, What happened to the bodies? I'm guessing you met Tursk?

"He knows you, Oona, because he's met you before in the future," Myarra explains.  "Which you, of course, haven't lived yet, which is why you don't know him.  He said the same thing to me when we arrived earlier.  Still doesn't make much sense, but that's wizards for you."

Whose side the ghost was on was yet to be determined. There was, in Amara's mind, a high likelihood that the only side he was on was his own. "Myarra, will you come with me? I would like to see what else we can find." Before the others looted everything.

"By all means, Myarra responded, shifting her sword to balance on her shoulder.  "Let's go see if we can find anything to make all this a little more worthwhile."

Without waiting, she moves to Amara's side, heading towards the stairs.  "I'm thinking the big double doors.  Isn't that where they said the big guys had their quarters."

Kalur, was instantly on his guard upon seeing the ghost. Being a holy knight he had a natural dislike of the dead no matter how amiable it was. Yet, he decided to hold his hand as the ghost showed no signs of aggression for the moment and the others seemed to be friendly with it."in the future?he said with a hint of not believing to his voice. After a bit of thought he looked over to Myarra. "if that is true it would mean that sometime in the future he will not know us which may prove dangerous! "

"Oh what the h*** it won't hurt to ask and maybe it will save us a bunch of time", Byron thinks to himself.   Hanns, are there any books here detailing the way stones and their locations?

"Apparently there's some big rip in the Weave that we're destined to go through, which will mess with time and space and crap." Myarra explains, while still moving away.  "Except now we're not supposed to, given that we know what will happen.  Except we don't, not really.  It's all very confusing.  I figure it's best to just wait and deal with it when the time comes.

As far as Hanns goes; Nolan trusts him, and I trust Nolan.  Of course, you don't know me, so I'm not sure what that's worth."

Amara nodded to Myarra  "As good a place to start as any." She headed toward the double doors, pausing for a moment to study the handles.

Nox silently made for the spot Culver had made his own. He needed a trail to hunt, and bereft any leads at all it was the only thing that he could think of... He frowns at Piebald's absence, but remarks no further.

The dwarf narrows his eyes as he listens to the explanation of the voice. The dwarf had never met the ghost, but had heard of him from one of the order of Moradin. He would have dismissed it as fiction if he hadn't met a monk a few years ago that told him of the ghost.

Still, the thought that he knew him, from the future boggled his mind.

None the less, the dwarf decided to continue his calm demeanour. "If he be a good spirit, then i'm all fer all the help we can." He glared at Oona..."And if yer wits leave ya girl, i am a priest."

He looks forward into the darkness (because he can't see who is speaking). "If yer can point me towards a stable area, i'll take me ram to spare yer books damage, then return."

In reply to Alstadin Mithrilforge (msg # 166):

Alstadin, would you take Charger here as well?  I'm sure Hanns would appreciate it so his library doesn't collect things other than books.  Byron pats the head of his horse.

Yes, the Lizardman was quite hostile with me before I spoke to him in his language. I'm afraid my dialect was a bit outdated and now he thinks I'm some sort of God. I asked him to clean the floor and all the Lizardfolk took the bodies away.



"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do have that information, but just the public areas. Private Citizens' information was kept by the Senate. The book is located Section C, Subsection 4, row 7, 5 books to the left."

I walk over to the section indicated by Hanns to try and find the book in question.

I hope this helps us in our quest.

"Plenty of places to hitch your horses topside. I'm headed that way... Looking for my companion, and I want to see if Culver left anything where he'd been sleeping the past few nights. It's doubtful, but..." He shrugs, and continues onwards.

"Piebald, Silver and Francis went with all of you through the Waystone. They did not show up on the other side?"



Hanns points to the book when Byron gets to the area, since the ghost can't physically touch them anymore.

"Be sure to put it back when you're done."

I pull the book out carefully.

Nolan and Oona, I hope you can read this.  I can't even make out the title. 

Once reasonably sure the doors had no traps, Amara opened them, looking for where the leaders, Baal, Bache, and Culver slept, expecting each to have a private bedroom.

Kalur looks to the ghost even more confused. "Have you heard of such a thing happening before, where not everyone using the waystones went to the same place?" He inquired.

"I wasn't a powerful Wizard when I was alive, but from what I do know, it sounds like a Teleportation error. As to what could have caused it, I don't know. Perhaps good magic is fighting bad magic and losing?"

Oona takes a look at the book, she knew only a couple of languages but it was worth a shot.  She looked quickly for signs of Elvish or Draconic writing in the text.  She she looked she handed the book to the other companions in case they knew of any languages she didn't and wanted to look.  She was quite unselfish for a thief.

Kalur nods slightly. "Well we are looking for stones." He said half to himself. "Could the fact that the stones of Balance aren't together be the cause?" He questioned.

"The Stones of Balance could be part of the problem, Yes." Hanns nodded "But, unfortunately, I don't know where they are. Hachaam Selorn was part of that project for the city's defense."

Amara, Myarra and Lennox go upstairs and to the East to the double-doors where Baal, Bache and Culver had their temporary sleeping quarters. The doors are partially open, so Amara didn't need to do anything. Inside is a group of Lizard-folk with Tursk, who are going through all the belongings of the troops. The place is quite a mess now. They already went through Baal's room, along with Bache. There was nothing in Culver's quarters. If there was anymore information about the Cult in here, the Lizard-folk have scattered it all over the floor. It will take hours, if not days to put papers back together to make any kind of sense. But, you do have the book that Father Bache had, so that is a plus.

===========

While Amara, Myarra and Lennox went to the Double-Doors, Alstadin was taking his goat, along with Byron's horse, outside to tie up and eat some fresh green grass.

===========

The rest of the group: Oona, Byron, Kalur, Aliana and Nolan, stay down in the library to look over the book that Byron asked Hanns for. Like Hanns said before, this book only details the public access of the Way-stone and their location on a map drawn in the book. It will take a couple hours to figure everything out.

In reply to Big Boss (msg # 179):

While this may take longer than some would like, we should record as many of the waystone locations as possible for our records.  I will leave the actual recording to those who reading and writing skills are better than mine though.

I continue to watch Oona, not out of distrust of her, but to protect her while she works.

Amara frowned at the lizardfolk. She had not expected them to be looting already. "The papers are ours," she hissed in draconic, stalking to the closer of Bache or Baal's rooms, to give them a more thorough search, looking for hidden compartments in the more likely places, like behind dressers and under the bed.

Kalur nods slightly. "Would you have any books on the stones of balance. Also where was Hachaam's office?" He asked after a moment of thought.

"Hey, um, Alastair?" Myarra calls to Alstadin as he leads the two animals towards the exit (the corridor clearly visible from the double doors).  "Don't put them out in the open alone. There's a green dragon, goes by the name of Lothlorian or something, flying around somewhere in the area."

She'd been hoping or weapons or jewelry, or something useful to be found in the leader's quarters.  Heck, she'd have been happy to find some magical mumbo-jumbo.  But, of course, there was just paper.  She heaves a heavy sigh of regret and slumps against the wall.  Papers are Amara's territory. But unless she had something for Myarra to do, it was best to just hold up the wall and stay out of the way.

Tursk told some of his "comrades" to start collecting papers for Amara, while the rest was going through packs and bed rolls of the troops.

"We are searching for things to trade while trying to get rid of this stink in the air. The papers are yours." Tursk said in Draconic

"I'm afraid that the Stones of Balance wasn't a public subject for everyone to read. They were put in place to protect the Weave, which in turn protected this city. If they are out of balance, more evil will be able to get in. But, from your tales I've already heard, I can guess that they already have." Hanns said "As to Hachaam Selorn's office, I would assume it to be in one of the Wizard Towers, or in his private residence."

It's just old Elvish. We can go through this in no time, but I think we should be getting back to the Lizardman village to tell them that their home is ready for them to come back to. A deal is a deal. You guys weren't a part of this deal, so you can come with us if you want, or you can stay and read the book while we're gone?

Bereft finding even a hint that ANYONE had ever slept in the room Culver had claimed, Nox trudges back down to the library. "Save yourself the trip, they're already making themselves at home upstairs." Nox says to Nolan, then turns his attention to Hans. "...Is there anything in here about Dragon Orbs, or how to track them?" He asks. "Or another means of expedited travel for those of us not yet of the third sphere?" It really rankled him that he'd been unable to press the search on his own clearly.

"As far as I'm concerned, that's fine." Amara replied to Tursk. They already had some magical items for their trouble, and knowledge was more important which he was going to provide for them, and she wasn't going to fight with the lizardfolk over the rest. She continued her search for secret compartments in the most likely spots. She was not going to go over the whole place, though.

"There is a story book about heroes using the Dragon Orbs to defeat Evil, but it's meant for the kiddies. I personally know that it's a very powerful item and it will take some time to be able to use, if you can even use such a device. Most important information on this subject, such as you ask, is only obtainable by the Senate members, but I doubt anything is even there anymore. That's probably where this Bache got his information from to find it here, where it was entrusted to me. I think this Culver took advantage of the fight and fled off with the Orb for his own purposes. As to a way to possibly track such a device, I don't think there is, but a Dragon might be able to sense it. As for your expedited travel until you can use the Way-stone? Nothing but the normal means, such as a horse."

Amara searched the few most likely places, but did not do a thorough search. It appeared this was nothing but a temporary encampment, and so no effort was made to make secret compartments. She came back out, shrugged to Myarra, and headed toward the others. "Nothing. Are we ready?"

"Is there a way to make the Way-Stone safer then? We've lost three of our number already..." Nox queries, not missing a beat.

"I honestly don't know the answer to that. Perhaps a good cleaning? I'm sure they're probably dirty."

"Are you a ghost when I meet you in the past Hanns?" Lennox says after a stifled snort, imagining the potential of being able to punch the infuriatingly unhelpful library might make such a dangerous jaunt through time worth it. Just one punch, not too hard. Juuust a little motivational lubricant and reverse-karma. Then again, maybe THAT was why I was ignored earlier.. He cuts off the train of thought, it was unnecessary. Going back in time was likely a horrible idea.

"I honestly don't know. Since we know each other now, it could be different if you go through the portal because you didn't know me then. So, you can say that I'm either alive and dead. You won't know until you go through the portal, but I suggest you don't."

Oona finds the library to be a true wonder, she has little idea of it's benefit or how much it could actually hinder those present.  She posits almost out of hand to Hanns, "There isn't anything written here of note about, or regarding, Ehlonna is there?"  To those recently met the question wouldn't hold as much weight as she hasn't used any of her personal items bearing the markings of the Elven goddess.  However, to those she's been traveling with the question is quite simple as her true faith in the deity is without question.

"Ehlonna, the Elvish Deity? Just story books for the kiddies, mainly, and a couple references here and there. Anything more than that is usually taught by her priests in her temples. Speaking of her, if my memory serves me right, there is a statue of her in the City Gardens."

In reply to Hanns the Librarian (msg # 196):

Even most children's stories have some truth in them.  What that truth is can be hidden deep in the past as they are usually meant to teach moral lessons as well as thinking and problem solving skills.      Byron replies to Hanns as he tries to remember some of the wilder children's stories his mom told him when he was a very young kid himself.

Kalur listens to the back and forth  for a while before a thought pops into his head. "Hanns, do you know which way stone spot had the senate?" He asks with some interest.

"You're more than welcome to read them, Byron. Section A, Row 4."



"Yes I do. It's labeled Meeting Hall."

Lennox, Myarra and Amara have a stack of papers from the Cult living quarters that they are going to sort through at another time. If there was any treasure in there, the newly freed Lizardfolk have claimed it for their own. Tursk asks when they wish to bring his village back here?

Going back down into the library, the rest of the group is talking with Hanns, asking him questions and looking at books for reference to their questions. Alstadin is not here. Myarra last saw him taking the mounts outside and then suddenly Byron's horse could be heard running down the hallway where the Strige battle took place.

We have a bigger problem coming guys.  Charger doesn't frighten that easily.  I pull my sword out and head in the direction Charger is coming from.  Calling out for him to stop.

"Soon. Pack up." Amara replied to Tursk in Draconic. "There appears to be trouble," she added, at Byron's words. Which was concerning, as she was rather low on spells for the day.

Turning to Myarra she said, "I'll follow you." In the case of trouble, beside (and slightly behind) a warrior was one of the best places to be.

Kalur nodded. "Ah, we should definitely check..." He was cut off by the sound of the horse and Byron's announcement. He drew his lance as he urged Mountain towards the surface. The two quickly charged forwards heading towards the last known location of the dwarf.

"Right" Myarra says, nodding to Amara.  There really isn't more to say until they find out what they're dealing with.

And so with Amara behind her (and when did having a drow at her back stop being something to be concerned about?), Myarra charges down the corridor towards the front door.

Oona hoped her companion was alright, he was one of the few that seemed to understand her and at times even took her side.  He was also the least likely to leave her stranded and alone...so this was her time to come to his aid.  "I'm with you..."  As the words left she was off to the races, and wishing that she came up with something more witty to say like always.

Amara did indeed follow Myarra, though she couldn't be described as charging. While moving relatively quickly and carrying her quarterstaff, she was not running, more wary of what might be ahead.

Nolan told Hanns that they would be back as the group wanted to investigate what the commotion was outside. From what he remembered, Lennox and Piebald said that Baal also had a dragon and it went to investigate the area looking for adventurers. The dragon probably just came back.

Reluctantly,  Aliana will.join the others to investigate the disturbance.

Byron recovered his horse as the rest of the group headed outside to see what the disturbance was. It's still daylight outside and once you are close to the front door entrance, all of you can see Alstadin looking up and talking to somebody or something. He does have his weapon out and seems ready to defend himself if he needed to. His goat is merrily chomping down on fresh green grass.

"Of course I know where he would go, but why would I want to tell you? Can you offer a better deal than the Cult of the Dragon?" the Dragon asked

"Lothorewyn." Lennox greets with a deep snd respectful bow, as he had every time they'd spoken in the past few months. I takes him but a moment to surmise how the conversation had reached this point, so he provides gravely: "Culver has seized a Dragon Orb from the library below, be wary lest he vainly try to test it's fabled might against you.. Truly a bold risk such would be on his part, but he seems the type to try." Nox knows well the hatred born by all dragons against the creators of those artifacts, and of any who would use them rather than destroy them. "I was regretfully too slow in my return from the Commander's dispatch, the distraction too cleverly wrought for me to have seen until it was too late. The Commander has paid for the treachery with his life, but Culver escaped." Piebald would have instantly seen the words for what they were, Lennox trying to paint the entire scene in the most complimentary colors possible-- skimming out the bits that were irrelevant to the current dilema, and potentially damning if Lothorewyn took offence rather than was impressed with Nox's own subterfuge in infiltrating the cell. Nox hoped that Lothorewyn was every bit as wise as he believed him to be, and would dismiss the trivial schemes of mortals as unimportant in light of the emergent problem. Then again, he also likely recognized from the start that Nox was neither human, nor a devoted cultist. Both hands are relaxed at his side, as ever they were around the mighty green. Nox deemed him friend, for his part.

As soon as Myarra arrives near the front door of the building and hears Alstadin and Lennox talking to the dragon, she skids to a halt and backs away, deeper into the corridor until she can barely hear what's happening outside.  Between her helm, her dragon-killing sword, and her snark, she's started to gain a bit of a reputation among some of the dragons of the forest.  It would be a pity to let that reputation screw up whatever fanciful lies Lennox was currently spinning.

Concentrating for a second, her form shifts, taking on the aspect of a generic, run-of-the-mill, mercenary.  She's not at all sure how effective her illusion would be against a dragon, but figures that every bit helps.

After calming my horse down I cautiously make my way near the entrance as I see the others standing there and watching.

What's going on, Myarra? I whisper in a voice that is barely audiable

Amara paused when Myarra suddenly halted, shifting her skin. That would seem to indicate it was someone or something that they knew.

After a moment's consideration, she continued forward. But now her feet made virtually no sound, though the rest of her was not nearly as stealthy.

Alstadin watches on as Lennox speaks with a straight face. He shakes his head...people grovelling at a dragon.

Ppffftt

He notes in the corner of his eye Myarra and her change of form, and raises his eyes for the briefest of moments. This new group had some tales to tell, and Alstadin. Was keen to fi d out. What they were.  Alstadin looks at the dragon, a neutral look. "Y'see wyrm....ye have some questions, maybe ask this guy. he clearly knows ye."

The dwarf stands with his arms crossed.


....this was interesting indeed.

"Culver has seized a Dragon Orb from the library below? What do you take me for, little man?" Lothorewyn asked Lennox "Baal and Bache took this place from Lizardmen and were looking.....What proof do you have, Lennox? I'm not to be trifled with over matters such as this! And tell your friends to come out. I can smell them a mile away!"

"The library below is guarded by a ghost named Hanns, he bore witness to Culver's treachery during the battle, and doesn't seem overly concerned about much beyond his books and temporal anomalies enough to have cause to have fabricated the story. I believe him, and I hold no difficulty believing it of Culver.

"We tried to follow via The Way-Gate but lost him at The Hub. We followed to where his trail appeared to have ported, but could find no trace of him. I returned here with these others in hopes of finding a clue as to where he might have fled.

"Whatever Baal and Bache sought, they died in the search. It may or may not remain below..." Nox trails off with a shrug, then looks back over his shoulder towards where the others surely hid. "Piebald was... Misplaced... In the initial jump to the hub, his whereabouts are as yet unknown. These others are but recent acquaintances; they hold little reason to trust in my telling them it's safe to come out beyond the example I set." He says honestly, if apologetically. In order to compensate for this, he explains their situation: "They claim to be relocating the Lizard Folk back to these ruins on the orders of one called... Satine?" Lennox says the name he'd heard earlier in an uncertain tone. "Whatever their business, they seem competent and accompanied me in pursuit of Culver. One among them at the least was powerful enough to activate the Way-Stone for us, and the others fought well against the rebellious trolls and stirges within." Nox tries to make them sound competent, but not overly dangerous that Lothorewyn would feel threatened-- a razors edge to be sure.

"I could care less that there is some old ghost living in these ruins. There's ruins all over this forest. But, if Baal and Bache came here and Culver left them to die, you know well that that traitorous human worm has the Orb. That's probably what Bache was looking for. That means the Cult is one big lie. They planned on using these Orbs to attract Dragons like me with promises of immortality, then control us with these Orbs? I will melt their bodies into goo!"

It appears that Lennox has Lothorewyn's attention.

"Such has been my deduction as well." Nox says coldly, similar promise of death in his own eyes. "Do you know, Great One, where the vile one might have fled? Or how I might destroy the orb should I have the opportunity to pry it from his dead hands?"

Kalur rushed up the library until he was at the exit, there his breath went cold as Mountain Froze in place. The two stared blankly at the dragon neither moving to retreat nor advance. Simply watching, the halfling shaking its head. "First ghosts and now dragons." He murmured to himself.

Amara moved until she could just see the dragon - and the dragon her. She would show herself, as the dragon wanted, but had no interest in drawing near. She watched from the relative distance.

Alstadin couldn't help but feel a little satisfied and relieved that the dragon was fearful, but now angry at Culver. Alstadin had heard of the dragon orbs....magical items of great power, something dragons feared.

...if it was in the hands of an enemy.

Alstadin's brief pleasure turned to worry.

Alstadin couldn't help but admire Lennox's skill with words...the dragon went from an ally of culver to enemy of them AND the cult of the dragon. Alstadin looked up at the dragon with a slight smile. "Seems ye friend is secretly against ye wyrm....still think that he is worth protectin'" The dwarf crosses his arms as he looks at the dragon.

He looks around at the doorway, then back to the dragon. "Maybe ye'll tell me where he is now so i can cave his head...unless ye want to be his pet?"

As the others approach, the man that Myarra has become turns a grizzled face and whispers, "It's Lothlorien, the dragon.  Lennox is trying to negotiate.  I recommend that we do not interfere."

She has no intention of venturing outside.  It's not that she was afraid of the dragon (although anybody with any sense would be wary), but instead, afraid of screwing up the pack of lies Lennox was feeding the beast.  The man could be impetuous and irritating, but he could talk the Phaerimm and Zhentarim into alliance if he put his mind to it.

Aliana's eyes widen as she approached her winged friend and heard her warning, and she nodded nervously and stayed quiet

Byron smiles at his friend's words:



Remaining in the shadows with Myarra as her and Alianna's words seem to be wise words at the moment.

Lothorewyn's eyes narrow as he looks down on the little Dwarf, Chlorine spittle burning the ground below...

"I am NOT a pet to anyone, little Dwarf!"

Everyone make a Will Save DC 20, or run away in a random direction from Fear.

"Oh, no." Myarra whispers as Alstadin makes his comment.  "Lothy isn't going to like ..." which is about when the wave of dragon fear washes over them and her hearts nearly stop beating in her chest.  As the dread crawls up her spine, she knows that there's one place in the world she doesn't want to be.  And that's anywhere near that dragon.

Turning around, she flees deeper into the complex, heading for the cellar, which is as far from the dragon as she thinks she can get.

14:28, Today: Secret Roll: Lennox rolled 22 using 1d20+06.  Will Save.

Nox's eyes flutter backwards as he groans in annoyance. He waits patiently, knowing that Lothorewyn will answer him eventually.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Tue 09 Feb 2016.

The urge to run away when the Dragon got pissed off faded quickly, but Nolan really didn't want to deal with Lothorewyn, so he just waited next to the door as people ran on by. Nolan didn't have to tell Alstadin that he was upsetting the dragon; the dwarf probably figured that out rather quickly.

Byron turns and runs in abject terror.  (rolled a 8)

Amara felt the fear of the dragon wash over her. She was smart enough to realize what it was, but that knowledge was not enough for her to deny that instinct borne deeply within every chest, that instinct to flee.

And so she did.

Oona watched from the shadows as the others turned and ran.  She would have followed were it not for her faith and conviction.  She could sense the beast even though she didn't see it.  But she would not leave any of her new found companions to die at the creature's whim.

Alstadin knew instantly that he had pushed the dragon too far.  He was a born warrior, a faithful of clangedden the God of battle. Dragons were ancient enemies to dwarves, and they knew all their tricks.

This knoledge didn't stop the seasoned dwarf feeling the dragon fear wash over him...

The dwarf's instincts of finding cover were bred into him, and the priest ran for the safety of the ruins.

<OOC: oops...pushed the dragon too far.>
This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Wed 10 Feb 2016.

Kalur sat unfazed by the dragon's aura of ire in the slightest, slowly patting Mountain trying to keep the quavering dog steady. However, Mountain was already just about at his limit just seeing the Dragon much less now that it released such a wrathful emanation. Letting out a horrified yelp the massive white dog turned on its heels and bolted down the hallway. The whimpering echo of Mountain could be heard mixing with Kalur long after the two disappeared.

Sister Aliana winced as the dragon's very personality washed over her like the heat from an exploding fireball.  She gritted her teeth, trying not to wet herself in fear.  She tried to remember some funny stories she'd read back in her library.  The tale of "Plucky the Lucky Dragon, a purple baby dragon who helped a young girl (who looked like a young Aliana in her memories) find her way when she'd been lost in the woods.

It was weirdly comforting.


OOC:00:51, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 22 using 1d20+7.  will.

"Dwarves." Nox shrugs apologetcally with a knowing sigh. "Still, I do believe his heart is the the right place though his tongue be stereotypically rocky. If you wish it, I would gladly save you the trouble of swatting Culver... Though, as I said, we're presently without any leads on where he might have fled."

Lothorewyn cared not if anyone fled for their lives. He would normally just eat the person who insulted him without provocation, but there was something here that was important that the dragon wanted to know.

"If I see that dwarf again, friend or foe to you, he's done. I care not how valuable he is to your little adventuring party." Lothorewyn said to Lennox "As for Culver, that little worm probably went back to the Medusa at one of the outposts."

Those of you who ran off in Fear end up back downstairs with Hanns, who asks all of you what happened. When somebody mentions a Green Dragon, the ghost looks in the direction of the stairs and claims he can't do much against a Dragon. The Dragon Fear eventually wears off, but it's up to you whether or not you want to go back up there.

Amara was not super interested in returning too quickly. Instead, once she had stopped cowering, she asked, "Do you have any books on Lothorewyn?"

Byron curses himself for a fool running in fear of a dragon.  I know they are quick and deadly, but then I have been fighting unfair odds for a while now.  Calming Charger who followed mem without understanding I lead him back towards he surface.  Trying to listen for the dragon as I don't want to meet him after that episode.  Although deep in my subconscious I know we will be fighting him at some point in the future.

Come on Charger everything is going to be fine.

I take my time walking back towards the entrance.

As soon as she can think of returning without having to stiffle a whimper, Myarra squares her shoulders and marches back to the upper corridor.  Going outside is still something she thinks is a bad idea, but she would like to be close enough to overhear any conversation still going on.

Alstadin, now clear of the dragon fear realised he punched the Wyrm too far, and likely if she saw him again he would be killed...swiftly and painfully. Alstadin was a follower of battle, but he also knew that was a fight he would never win.

Sighing, Alstadin followed Myarra in silence, getting closer to the action, but willing to stay out of sight.

Nox grimaces. "Too many holes, not enough hounds." He mutters, running a hand through his hair. "any chance you've a spell that might narrow that search down? What of the Orb? Know you a way that it might properly be disposed of once I track the bastard down?"

"I'm assuming that's the name of the Dragon outside?" Hanns asked "No, I do not have any books on any of the Dragons in this forest, but you should remember that name because if you have to use the Orb, it will make it easier if you have the Dragon's name."

"Nay, little man. I have no spells to be able to do that." Lothorewyn said "As for the Orb, those were created by the Gods. Only they can destroy them. I'm going to search the forest now. I'll seek you out if I find anything."

Lothorewyn takes flight and disappears into the forest.

Oona waits until the dragon is gone before she steps into view, "Lennox you seem to know that creature.  How did you two become so familiar?"  Her voice is faint and a bit shaky since it doesn't seem like her other companions were around.  She always felt more comfortable with them around.  But there was the rub, she had been able to withstand the dragon's emotional grasp...maybe there was more to this simple girl than she let on.

Don't let Lothorewyn trick you into believing he's different. Green Dragons are very unpredictable. He knows something that he's not letting on. I believe him about giving up his ties with the Cult, but I detect something there. I think we need to prepare ourselves for future Dragon attacks, while exploring ruins via the Waystone. But, we need to guard the main one, so the Cult won't be able to use it. We'll talk about that later.

Amara nodded acknowledgement, then turned to head back toward the entrance, this time approaching more slowly and cautiously once she got near.

But by the time she got there, the dragon had already left.

In reply to Oona (msg # 246):

"Always had a fascination with them. Dragons, that is." Nox says, smiling at Oona. "Decided to take the opportunity to meet one while I was under cover. How often does one have such an opportunity?" A forced laugh. "He may be a Green, and may indeed have machinations of his own in play... But I like him well enough. Were I less mortal, I might even have deigned to believe we might have made good friends. That's the rub of the bits of human in me." Apparently he was also more than met the eye, though it'd take a fairly up close and personal inspection to catch those tells. "Mixed blessings I guess.

"He knows MUCH more than he's shared, though I hazzard to guess how much if any holds immediate pertinence. Of greater concern is that Culver's Orb may affect Greens. I think they were each keyed to dragons of different color... But that may just be rumor.

"If even just holding one didn't earn the animosity of all dragon-kind for eternity, I'd have considered siezing the thing rather than trying to destroy it.

"Good point though, Nolan. Does this mean you'll join me in my efforts? I didn't want to presume it upon you..."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Sun 14 Feb 2016.

Alstadin comes stomping into the courtyard, a sour look on his face. The fact that a dragon scared him with its fear sat poorly with him, and though his wits told him that most people, even dwarves would run, the fact that Lennox stayed not only irritated him, it also intrigued him.  Was there something to this boy?

Alstadin came up to the group. "Sorry fer that...my kind dislikes dragons at the best of times, and with it speakin' to me and not attackin' i was getting cocky."  The dwarf sighed, shaking his head. "Clangedden has taught me a lesson today....pride is as dangerous and blindin' as anger can be." He chuckles to himself.....he hinted that a dragon could be a pet....to a dragons face. In hindsight, Alstadin was astounded at his own stupidity.

Looking up, he looked at Lennox. "Ye have skills boy....not inly to stay calm and talk as ye did to the wyrm, but to resist it's fear. i'm impressed. seems theres more to ye than meets th' eye boy"  The dwarf smiles and slaps his arms.

Looking around, he gauges each comment. "Gettin' that orb without the wyrm knowin' will be hard...once he knows we have it, both he and the cult will be after us....be they enemies or not." He smiles at this thought. "Bashin' a few cultist's heads in appeals t' me, i have to admit...a good fight is what i need."

Once Lothorewyn has left, Myarra emerges from the doorway and walks over to where the others are standing, her disguise melting away and reforming into her normal shape.

"Dragons are dragons.  You can't trust them.  And if you ever think you've gotten the better of one, count your fingers; you're probably missing a couple."

She makes no mention about anyone having run away.  It happened.  There's nothing more to be said.

As Byron walks up to Oona, she can see him cursing himself under his breath for his terrible behavior.

Alstadin, don't piss off another dragon.  That is definitely the dumbest thing you have done now.  The good news is we have another clue and I think this Culver may have both a dragon orb and one or more of the stones of balance.

Tursk comes out of the Library with his gear and looks to be ready to go back to his village. He walks up to Nolan and speaks to him in Draconic, "Me go back to village now. Ghost-god will protect my people while I get my people to come back home. You will come back with me and help my people back here."

Though Mountain had found the darkest corner it could to hide and shake, it didn't take Kalur much time to calm him down and surely the fact that it left helped. After a few minutes Kalur and Mountain made their way to the others. "To poke fun of a dragon, one has to be brave or crazy... This time I think it was the latter..." He says shaking his head. He then reached out and scratched Mountain behind the ears. "You managed to scare poor Mountain half to death!" He said with a slight bit a mirth to his voice.

He looked to the others. "So what is the plan? From talking to Hans, the Wizard towers and the Meeting Hall may hold clues. The Wizards towers are the most likely targets for adventures and I would guess most have been picked clean so might not be fruitful choice. The meeting hall on the other hand, doesn't seem like it would be as obvious a choice so it might be a good place to search." He said half to himself.

Lothorewyn indicated it likely that Culver retreated to one of the outposts, to regroup with some of the other cultists that didn't accompany this group here." Nox replies to Kalur. "Running scared no doubt until he can figure a way to put his new toys to use."

Alstadin smiled at the comment from Kalur. "Perhaps both Kalur." He says with a slight chuckle. He looked sympathetically at Mountain, and looked over at his own mount, Brankx, still munching the grass like nothing happened. "At least mountain had the sence to run." He pointed at his. Ram. "Brankx didn't have the sence ter run....stupid goat!" Brankx turns his head to glare and bleat at Alstadin, almost like he knew what he said, bringing a chuckle back to,Alstadin. In truth, he trusted and admired his mount...they had seen much together.

"Do dragon orbs affect lizardfolk?" Amara asked.

Nox opens his mouth to answer Amara, but his mouth clicks closed and he looks thoughtful. Hesitantly: "I... Don't know. The storied I know are few, and I know fewer still of Lizardfolk." He shrugs, and looks at Tursk. He snorts at the mention of Hanns being a God, a quick glance at the reactions (or lack there of) of others to see who had followed the creatures language. "It would seem they share a language though, at the least." He observes, his expression one of concern. It would seem Nolan was being asked to go elsewhere, which might mean that his own request of the wizard was in jeopardy.

Then let us go now. I need to come back and find the rest of the Cult that escaped us.

Turning to Alstadin, I don't think you should do that again with the dragons. You have to think about the rest of the people you're traveling with, not just yourself.



I don't know, but I'm leaning towards NO.



You better believe I'm going to join you in your efforts. If he figures out how to use it, he could build a dragon army and take this whole area. He's a greedy little man, leaving Cult members to die, so I don't think he'll share it with anyone.

Turning to the group, I'm going back with Tursk to bring his people back home. The upper levels are Lizardfolk territory and the Library downstairs will be for Hanns. We'll have to make some sort of agreement to share this place and we'll figure that out later. Anyone who wants to come with me, I'm fine with that. Those who stay, start reading books and finding out information we might need. I'll see you in a few days.

"Might the Waystone not expedite your journey?" Nox suggests. "Surely one of the locations is at least closer to your destination if not there specifically?" Hesitant as Nox was to see Nolan go, he'd do what he could to expedite his return. "I'll wait here. If Lothorewyn finds anything, he may return to share. If not, maybe I'll learn something of use from Hanns or the library." The last is said with a grimace, though he'd already learned quite a bit about transitive planar relativity just watching Nolan work the waystones... Maybe not on that scale, but one had to learn to walk before they could fly.

This is true, but I don't want the Lizardfolk to know about it. It's already bad enough that you told Lothorewyn. I think we should keep that secret to ourselves and guard the main stone. I'm sure Cultists will be using it if Culver tells them about it.

"If we are splitting up, I believe I should remain here, so that someone can operate the Waystone while you are gone, if necessary." Amara replied to Nolan, although she would rather go with him.

Kalur shrugs. "I am no good at hitting the books, I might as well go with you." He says smiling to Nolan. "Anyway it will be nice being out in the fresh air rather than stuck down here." He adds warmly.

The edge of Lennox's lip twitches. "Fair." He concedes, stifling any protests about the foolishness of presuming that Lothorewyn didn't already know of the waystone network.

"Um...Nolan, I might be helpful with the Lizardfolk.  I speak draconic and can probably work out the waystone activation in a pinch.  But I understand if you don't want me to join you."  She looked to her companions to see if going with Nolan was a good idea.  She knew that she could help either group but if something happened to the caster at least someone else with them could help the others return.  At least there was that...

"Am I the only one here who cannot operate the damned stones yet?" Nox mutters with a questioning look at the sky. For all the recent intuitive leaps he'd made in his craft, and despite how rare that craft of mixing steel and spell is... The feeling of Inadequacy was quite unpleasant.

Alstadin looks at them all and shrugs. "I have some readin' skills, but must admit i'm more suited to battle. i'll come with ye."

"I'll go with you." Myarra decides.  "Books and I don't have a lot in common, as you well know."

Sister Aliana gave a wry chuckle.
" I'd probably be useful coming with you, Nolan, if you need a tracker or another diplomatic person who speaks draconic,  but if not then my god probably would be  miffed if I willingly walked away from an unknown library. "

"Never good to tempt the gods..."  Oona muttered under her breath as if she'd been there and felt that outcome first hand.

Lennox snorts at the notion of tempting the Gods. "In my experience, the whole lot of them have too much time on their hands if they're really going to sweat their faithful of such minutia."

In reply to Lennox (msg # 271):

The blonde elf maid nodded to with a smile to Oona, but then grinned almost playfully at the seeming irreverence of Lennox.
"You'd be surprised how detail oriented Oghma is, but you're probably right.  So my preference is to stay and help here, but I'll go where I'm needed."

Well I'm not going to abandon my friends.  So I'm with Oona and Alstadin

Patting Charger on his flank. Come on Charger,  we got some work to do now.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:41, Tue 16 Feb 2016.

As Nolan said before, he did not mind at all the people who wanted to travel with him to the Lizardman Village. He was happy for the company and for the help. Even though both groups just met each other, you feel relaxed as you travel South through the forest/swamps, led by the Lizardman Tursk. The first night out is spent at the ruins the party stayed at before. It appears to be an old watch tower, but only the roof-less bottom level is left. It's somewhat dry in there and the ruins are surrounded by 3 foot deep swampy water. You get the idea to look for a Waystone and you find one! It's in the water and Kalur has some difficulty in that area, so he stays on shore in the ruins, keeping guard while the rest of you uncover the swirling stone from overgrown vegetation.

Problem now is this: If you go through, you'll end up at the Hub with no knowledge on how to get back here and that will waste a day.

-----------------------------

Those of you who stayed at the library (Aliana, Amara and Lennox), go through books to look for information while the rest of the group is away. Hanns is a big help as he tries to answer your questions to the best of his knowledge. The remaining Lizardfolk check up on all of you once in a while, walking down to the bottom of the stairs, looking around to see if you're OK, then walk back up the stairs. Lennox keeps watch outside, just in case Lothorewyn returned. During a search for some information you requested about the locations of the other Way-stones in the forest, Aliana finds a glowing book: "The Friend and the Leader" (Elvish) No Author. Amara says the Book is magical.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Wed 17 Feb 2016.

While most of his time is spent in the courtyard (the easier to be found by Lothorewyn should he return) honing his forms and practicing the use of his newly discovered spells, Lennox does take the occasional forray into the library below. Topics regarding dragons, dragon orbs, waystones, planar metaphysics, spellblades (or equivalent), and/or maps of the region would be of optimal interest to him.

Being little more than a massive weight, Kalur has never much taken to the water. Especially given the time it would take to remove his armor. So he is more than content to simply sit with Mountain and wait for the others. Mountain for his part does not like the others being so far into the water and stands at the edge splashing the water and whimpering whenever the others go under to tug at water weeds.

There are many topics in this library, and while it may seem likely that those on Waystones or Dragon Orbs would be the most beneficial, she knows the others staying, especially Lennox with his single-track mind, are likely to spend the majority of the time researching these.

Instead she asks Hanns first for his favorite book, so that she may better understand their ghostly friend, and then for any books that he has not read, so as not to read something where someone already had knowledge.

When Aliana finds a magical book, Amara uses the rest of her detect magic spell to better investigate the other books, pulling aside any more that are magical.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Thu 18 Feb 2016.

Oona studies the waystone for a long moment...

Nolan smiles at the curious Oona as she studies the Waystone in the water. There was no learning at using the device. It just detected the inner strength in you and that's what Nolan told the young girl, Touch it and speak the word Alamnaleer. If you're still here, it means you can't use it because your inner strength is not strong enough.

Turning to the group, I have an easy solution that might take an hour. Since we're here for the night, I will use the Waystone to go back and talk to Hanns, who will hopefully know what these ruins are, since they are so close to his library. When I get the correct destination, I will come back here.

Alstadin ops to stay with Kalur...even though he could easily navigate the swamp, the heavy armor he wore would slow them down, so he stayed with the halfling and their mounts. He looked at the riding dog with a smile. "Kal....i never asked ye, how did ye come to have mountain as a mount and friend?" Feeling sentimental, Alstadin pats Brankx on his neck, who snorts.

Kalur had a look of reminiscing for a moment as he smiled and  patted Mountain on his back."Well my Master gave him to me while I was still just a squire. Mountain was a tiny fluffy little pup back then and raising and protecting him was part of my training. We have been together ever since then. " he said warmly as he looked over at the dwarf."How did you and Brankx end up together?"

Helps Oona clear away as much of the vegetation as possible.

Somehow I hope this works out for you.  You seem to have a good head on your shoulders.  But, why do you think we (Kalur, Alstadin, and myself) would abandon you?  We understand the value of your skills even when you are unsure of them yourself.

Oona turned to Nolan, "Oh, then it probably won't work for me.  I don't have a lot of inner strength.  No, I'm not nearly as strong as my parents were..."  Stupid girl.  She berated herself silently for bringing up her parents.  Adventurers aren't supposed to bring up their families.  It's too dangerous.

Oona blushed and shied a bit at Byron's remarks, "Oh no. I'm sure you lot wouldn't leave me stranded...well not unless it was my fault.  I can't blame you if it is my fault after all."

"We don't leave each other behind, Oona," Myarra replies to the young girl.  "I'm afraid you're stuck with us until you choose to leave.

You can ask Nolan.  I've been sorely tempted to dump his sorry ass more than once, and I'm sure he's been tempted to dump mine twice as often.  But we stick together, and we protect each other, no matter what."

She considers the waystone, not liking the way it just floats there, all unnatural and weird.

"If you're not back in an hour," she says to Nolan. "As unlikely as that is, we'll assume that you and Hanns couldn't figure out which one was the right one and that you'll be walking back tomorrow.  And for that reason, I think someone should go with you.  Even given your magic, one person alone in this forest is an unnecessary risk."

In reply to Amara (msg # 277):

Aliana would assist her ebony skinned friend in collecting and arranging and magical books, especially by elven authors.

Alstadin looked at the head of his mount with a smile. "Years ago, my mentor, a battle priest of Clangedden, invited me over fer drinks. his mount, a fine ram indeed, had fathered some young. five in total at th' time. All were pre-chosen fer mounts....good breeding an all." The dwarf shifted, then looked into the distance. "..then the ram birthed one more young....a small thing it was, not movin'. We all thought it dead, a runt, but it bleeted and scared the life outa us."

The dwarf chuckled, shaking his head. "Bein' a runt, it wasn't ter be set as a mount, so was destined fer a meal. but i saw somethin' in him....he was a fighter." Absently scratching the Rams neck, Brankx was oddly calm as the dwarf spoke...as if he was listening to the tale and rebbe ring like Alstadin. "So i started hand rearing th' ram, gettin' him strong and big. He was still a little smaller, but was accepted as a mount. Stuborn ram wasn't afraid of anythin', and was like a war ram...though he hated most riding him." He looked at Brankx. "Still stuborn as an' ox, but twice as tough. he once stood over me when i was unconsious...when i woke, he was bloodied, but still alive with the boddies of a few goblins trampled by him."

The ram shifted, as if the praise was uncomfortable, and he bleated. Alstadin chuckled again. "Ok, yer stuborn fool....he hates that tale. Thats part of why i like tellin' it" The ram turned his head, glared at the dwarf and promptly nipped him on the leg.

Alstadin cursed.

Oona, you have a lot more inner strength than you give yourself credit for.  Myarra is right, you have to choose to leave.  However, we have never wanted to leave you behind before.


Chuckling Byron continues: I'm sure it may be the opposite with me as I keep getting us in trouble. 

Byron finishes clearing all the visible vegetation away from the way stone so that it can be read and studied more carefully.

So, Nolan explains to Tursk that he will be back, touches Oona, then the Way-stone, speaks the magical word, and both are gone in a blink....


===========

Aliana, Amara and Lennox search around for more magical books while Amara's ability lasts and they find one more book. It appears to be someone's spellbook tucked away in a corner on a shelf.

Nolan doesn't even wait before he's selecting the library, touching Oona again and saying the magical word of transport. When they both arrive in the library, Nolan explains the situation.

Hello everyone. We found another Way-stone. Remember those ruins we spent the night in about a day from here? We found the Way-stone submerged in the water and Oona and I came back to ask Hanns who's place that used to be so we can select the destination at the hub.

Kalur smiles widely as he looks from the dwarf to the ram. "Sounds like you chose well! I have been with Mountain for many years now, he is very kindly and protective of those around him! Though he might run from a dragon I know he would always bring me with him." He says with a laugh.

Hanns, who was busy helping Amara, Aliana and Lennox look for information about the locations of the Waystones is thrilled to see and hear that Oona and Nolan have returned with news of another Waystone that has been found.

"I'm overjoyed to hear your news. Where are these ruins located and can you describe what you think the building might have been?" Hanns asked

Amara had just pulled out the spellbook when Nolan arrived. She looked over at him, but her smile turned icey at Oona being there with him. She nodded that she remembered, then told him, "We found a spellbook. I imagine you will be wanting to look at it."

Nolan was interested in the book, but he didn't have the time to look at it at the moment, Yes, I would like to look at it. Save it for me until I return.

Turning back to Hanns, It's maybe a day from here to the South. It looked like it might have been a lookout tower long ago with water surrounding it?

With his own innate Arcane Attunement, Nox does his best to aid in sifting through the stacks between his frequent trips to the surface to keep an eye out for Lthorewyn.

"Yes, yes. I remember it now." Hanns said to Nolan "That was Lieutenant Ajax's place. He was part of the Human army in the forest. His wife used to bring his little boy in here...I wonder if they survived and have descendants? Anyways, try Lieutenant Ajax on the Way-stone."

"Kalur," Myarra begins, a little hesitantly.  "The last time we were here, something was stalking around outside all night.  If you wouldn't mind, and if Mountain would permit me, I could fly you both across the water to the tower so you could join us for the evening."

She looks a bit uncertainly at Mountain.  "Or, perhaps I can fly you over, and Mountain could swim.  I'm not certain he likes me well enough yet to trust me."

Amara was surprised that Nolan did not immediately want the spellbook, but shrugged. She continued her perusal of the library, but kept listening to the conversation.

Lieutenant Ajax. Got it. I will try that. If I come back, it means it didn't work.

Nolan walks back to the Waystone in the library, touches Oona, touches the stone and says the magic word to go back to the hub. Once there with Oona, Nolan looks for Lieutenant Ajax and repeats the process to get back to Tursk and the others.

Nolan and Oona transport back to the Hub and Nolan looks for Lieutenant Ajax and finds his name. Looking around again for Culver and not spying anyone in the area, Nolan transports him and Oona back to where Tursk and the rest of the party are located. The both of them were gone maybe 15 minutes. Not even enough time for Myarra to carry Kalur over with the dog following. Alstadin had some help as well, but the goat just swam across.

Forest Way-stone thread has been updated

link to a message in this game


Amara is a bit disappointed that Nolan didn't take the book, but he seemed pretty busy at the moment. She sets it off to the side as she, Lennox and Aliana keep searching for information that they need.  No more magical books are found.

----------------------------------

The crew at the ruined watch tower have a cold camp as the night comes in, keeping silent and listening to their surroundings. Dragon roars could be heard way off in the distance, but the night is uneventful.

Same goes for the crew at the library. You found all sorts of information so far, but piecing it together is a pain in the butt. Nothing comes through the Way-stone and if there was something that came through the front doors, the Lizard-folk would have told you. You eventually go to sleep.

---------------------------------

The next morning, the crew at the watchtower ruins leave and eventually make it back to the Lizardman village early afternoon.

Throughout the night, any time that dragoncry pierces the night, Nox stirs and looks to the sky with a hint of worry in his face... But he invariably shrugs off the concern, and returns to sleep. As dawn lights the skies, he wakes without a groan or complaint. After a few moments of stretching he eats, then heads outside to indulge in his morning calisthenics and bladework.

A.stadin wakes the next morning with a stretch and yawn. He looks just to his left to see Brankx eating...he always seemed to be eating. Alstadin shakes his head as he gets up and dons his armor. Grabbing his trusty warhammer he plants it on the grounds, kneels and starts muttering in dwarven. After a time, he opens his eyes, stands and swings his hammer and seats it in his loop. He grins at the ram. "Start swimmin' yer stuborn goat." Brankx glares at the dwarf with a warning.

The dwarf chuckles.

Arriving at the Lizardman village, Tursk is treated like a Hero when he tells them of his success in regaining their old home. For those of you who haven't been here before, there are grass huts spread out among the ruins of an unknown building with a huge pond of black water in the middle (See Game Map 0). The chief of the Lizardfolk is happy that the party didn't betray them and kept up their deal. He informs the party that his scouts saw you this morning and he let your friends go and they went South back to the human village (Daak). The Chief also is true to his deal as he orders his people to start packing to go back to their home. He is also very interested in this Ghost-God that Tursk is talking about and wants to know more.

That's where the current party members come in.

Kalur was more than happy to have Myarra's help across the water, and Mountain was no less happy for it though he did seem slightly scared as he dangled above the water. The two spent the night cuddled together as was their custom, Kalur strongly believed that Mountain was the best pillow one could hope for. The next morning the two ate then played around a bit before getting ready to head out.

Kalur found the village to be quite interesting and wondered if there might be a way stone hiding somewhere around the ruins. His vision kept falling upon the pool of black water and he couldn't help but wonder what it was. "As anyone ever looked for a way stone here?" He asked the others tentatively.

Yawning from a poor nights sleep Byron says "I don't think anyone wants to go swimming for one that may be totally buried.  Still it might be prudent to check it out.  Next time you guys decide to crash without a watch I'm kicking one of you awake for a four shift.  Those damned dragons are annoying to listen to all night."

Don't worry. Nothing happened. I was resting, but I was on shift all night.

Then, at the village, Nolan tries to explain to the Chief the situation at the Library in Draconic:

We have helped you recover your home. But, long ago, it was a human place where they kept their writings until the forest was attacked. The Cult of the Dragon unearthed a way down into the depths of the building and found these writings protected by a spirit Tursk calls the Ghost-God. He is very powerful and knowledgeable. Would you and your people be willing to share your home with him?

"You speak Draconic, right Aliana? Do you think you could distract the lizardfolk for a while? I would like to check this place for any secret passages, just in case we need to get back in here at some point in the future." Amara wasn't the trusting sort.

The Lizardman chieftain thinks about it and talks to his trusted aids and comes up with a solution back in the Draconic tongue, "Lizardman home has been our home for many winters. We agree to your terms, but we ask that you bury up the hole that was dug up and leave our people in peace."

Covered in a fine film of sweat, Nox seeks out a good place to strip down and bathe.

Not speaking the language, and not being terribly diplomatic in the languages she does speak, Myarra leaves the negotiations to the others.  But she does tell Kalur what she knows about the strange defenses this place has, and that Satin clearly wants.  "So, I'm not sure if magic doesn't work at all, or if it just goes screwy, but even if there was a way-stone here, there's no guarantee that it would work."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Thu 25 Feb 2016.

Alstadin kept pretty much to himself in the lizard an village....helping a beast he once knew as enemy went against his training. All his teaching showed that the evil races were evil and deceptive, yet here he was. He's hook his head none the less. His training also taught him that the enemy of my enemy may not be a friend, but may be an ally.

...and a dragon was a pretty big enemy.

The dwarf looked on with a furrowed brow, noting the lizardman dwellings and defences (as meagre as they were). As much as they needed help, he would not waste an opertunity to analyse a potential enemy.

A bleat brought him back  from his thoughts. Brankx nudged Alstadin on the shoulder....he clearly hated the proximity of the lizards as much as he did. Alstadin sighed and patted the ram. "Easy Brankx....we'll be on our way soon enough." The ram snorted and Alstadin grinned. "What...yer afraid of a few newts?"

Brankx glared at him, turned and started eating some grass. Nothing got the Rams courage back than Alstadin questioning it.

Alstadin looked around.

"Soon."

Nolan turns to the group and translates what the chief said, The great chief wants the hole the Cult dug up to the library buried back up again and for his people to be left in peace. I don't have any problems with that, but I think the Cult will, but that's none of my business if these people wish it this way. Do any of you have anything to say, or should we agree and help them back to the library and be done with it?

Normally I wouldn't care one way or the other.  But in this case only if we can continue to access the library.

Access to the library will be used by the Way-stone. We won't need to travel to the building anymore and bother the lizardfolk. They will be in peace like they want. We'll just have to remember to have one that has power of the 3rd sphere to be there at all times, in case we need to leave.

Kalur nods after hearing Myarra "Quite the interesting place, I can see why a dragon would want this place. There isn't much that could compete with it in sheer strength... besides other dragons." He says more to himself than the others. He fond Alstadin's behavior slight odd but shrugged believing the dwarf must not like Lizardfolk. Turning to look to Nolan as he spoke the little halfling shrugged his armor making a metallic clink as he did so. "I can't see much of an issue, they are afraid of the ghost so I doubt they would notice our coming and going from the library floor." He said simply.

"It completes our deal with Her green-ness, and leaves us in peace with the lizardfolk, which might come in handy some day," Myarra replies to Nolan thoughtfully.  "I say we agree and get it done.  Then we can report in to Her bitchiness and see if we're even, or if we're lunch."

I would prefer not to be lunch for some dragon.

"Well, that's going to be up to Her Mouth-fart.  But you people weren't part of the deal, so there's no reason you need to face her.  She is a lot bigger than Lothlorian.  It would be best not to get on her bad side if you can avoid it."

Hey Alstidin, don't go talking to any more dragons.  Unless you really do want to be a snack for one.  Teasing my friend.

If you want to tell the chief that right in front of his people, be my guest. I'm not going to translate that. I know you're kidding, I hope.



I agree. We'll help the lizardfolk pack up and wait here to look for a Waystone. If SHE shows up, fine. If not, then we can catch up to the Lizardfolk to guide them back home.

Nolan noted that Oona hasn't said a word since he took her to the library and wondered if the poor girl was OK. Nolan decided to keep an eye on her as he turned to face the chief once more and spoke to him in Draconic.

We will obey to your terms and bury the tunnel to leave your people in peace. We were honored to have one of your warriors among us. Without him, we would have failed.

The chief is pleased with your answer and tells his people to start packing to head back to their old home. It takes a couple hours, but the job is finished and they all move out of Satin's ruins, heading north back to the library. The rest of you stay behind for awhile to look for a Way-Stone, but a thorough search of the area recovers nothing. If there is one in the water, it might be impossible to recover. During your search time, SHE is not seen.
This message was last updated by the GM at 22:40, Sat 27 Feb 2016.

Alstadin looks at Byron with a mock sneer. "Pull yer head in Byron." The dwarf didn't argue at his human comrades comment...his last chat to a dragon almost cost him his life. "Still, yer have a point....dwarves an' dragons never got along. maybe me absence would be better after th' green"

"How long do you want to wait?" Myarra asks Nolan.  "She's been pretty insistent on getting the tribe out of here, so I assume she's keeping track.  I can't imagine she'll go more than a day without a fly-by."

She adds to the rest of the group, "The rest of you might want to head on over to the edge of the ruins.  Nolan and I can join you; assuming she doesn't eat us.  But that's unlikely, cause I think she has a thing for Nolan.  As a boyfriend or a pet, I'm not quite sure, but at least it's in our favor.

She also has an uncanny knack of knowing what's going on.  She'll know you're there, but hopefully she'll be in too good a mood for you to be worth bothering."

Kalur shrugs. "Why wait for her to show up, are you worried she won't give credit where it is due?" He says somewhat confused.

Don't beat yourself up over it. You're more important to me than any of these dragons in here. If you're going to say anything to them, just make sure we're all with you, first.





OK, if she didn't figure out that we already left Daak a few days back, that's on her. We're done with this job of hers. I did want her to know that we completed the job, but now that I think about it, I don't care if she knows. We upheld our end of the bargain. There was nothing said that we had to show her proof. We have other things we need to take care of. Let's go.

"Actually, yes," Myarra replies to Kalur.  "It would be just like her to say the tribe must have moved on its own, and therefore we owe her another favor."

But she shrugs her shoulders and adds, "But I have no intention of hanging around if you all want to leave."

Alstadin nods at the praise from Nolan. Alstadin was truely starting to see that this group didn't follow a dragon...they truely despised it and everything they do was to protect the people. "If yer don't mind i think I'll hold off on speak in' to any Dragons fer a while"

The group waited for maybe an hour before Nolan decided to forget about waiting for Satin and to move on to catch up with the lizardman tribe. You catch up to them fairly quickly and guide them to the ruins for the night. You set up guard shifts, but with this many beings in the area, only undead would be stupid enough to attack. The next morning, you all leave again and make it to the Library in the early afternoon. The Lizardmen are overjoyed to have their home back and reunite with the survivors inside as they go and claim their old beds and rooms.

Aliana, Amara and Lennox have come up with all sorts of different information about the forest, but to piece it together so it all makes sense will take more time. Seeing that the group is a mismatch of different races, ie: Humans, Elves, Dwarves and not knowing what Myarra is, the chief of the Lizardfolk approach the party and thank them again, speaking in common.

"I am sorry for deceiving you by letting you think I didn't know your language, but I wanted to find out who you really are. Adventurers come and go, but I believe you to be more than that. I have decided that the way to your library and the Ghost-god will remain open with an invisible barrier that can only be crossed by permission. Perhaps me and my people can help you by protecting the past, so we all can have a future. Again, I thank you."

The Chief returns to his people to help them unpack.

The group is currently down in the library with Hanns.

Amara cocked an eyebrow at the lizardfolk chief, wondering how he was going to set up an invisible barrier that could be crossed only by permission. She didn't have the ability to set such a thing up. She nodded silently to acknowledge his words, but did not reply.

Kalur looked at the chief in a new light, it was true you could not judge a book by its cover. He would have to remember this in the future, but for the moment he was more interested in what there next step was. He made his way to the others. "So what did you find out?" He asked eagerly.

"Well, based off my knowledge from the past and with Amara's help on how big the forest looks now, we all managed to locate some locations on a map we drew based off what information is left in the books in here. I'm sure there is more, but it will take time to research."

link to a message in this game

Well, I have no clue where we should explore first. Anyone have any suggestions based on this map, or do you all want to choose a random destination at the hub? Personally, I'd like to see if the one that's near Valls is still functional, but I don't remember seeing anything on the hub for that destination. Have any ideas, Hanns?

"Hanns, what would happen if we tried to go to a Waystone that was shattered?" Amara asked. "Or under a tree that has grown over it? Or been carried a hundred miles from its original location by a flooding river?"

"I don't have any clue, Amara. I would assume it would be very bad. But, if I had to take a guess, I'd say that they probably just wouldn't work anymore and if you wanted to go to the original spot, you'd have to physically walk there."

Amara nodded and stated to the others. "We should just be aware that trying random locations holds its own risks."

Alstadin sat quietly while the others talked. The decision for him where to go wasn't important. What was important in the journey.

....and if the journey provided some beasts to bash, all the better.

He looked at Amara. "Any place is as risky as any lass, but livin' a shelterd life isn't fer everyone. With th' crew here, we can deal with what lies ahead."

Amara turned and treated Alstadin to a withering look. "I did not live on the surface all my life. And any place is most certainly not as risky as any other."

"I have no clue where this Culver might have gone to, so I suggest starting with what you all know based off what was found drawn on the new map. Once you have explored those options, then I guess you can explore random locations. I wish I could go with you, but I'm bound to this place until my time is over. I'm just thrilled to have some excitement again after all these years."

Well I guess we are going to have to hope for the best each time we use this thing if we don't spend weeks on weeks travelling the old fashioned way.  We are going to have work cut out finding Culver.  We know he isn't at the one where we met you guys.  That still leaves a lot to be explored.  Unless it is too late in the day we should get going.  Hans, do you have any idea how far apart the way stones are from each other?  I mean in terms of walking time like a day or 2? or are they further apart like a week or 2?

"Before departing, Lothorewyn suggested that Culver may have retreated to one of the outposts that your team already took... Something about reuniting with the medusa witch. It was a suspicion... But, Lothorewyn also has not yet returned from his own investigation." He frowns at the last, clearly not liking the implications given Culver's newest toy combined with the night filled by dragons-cry.

Kalur thought for a second. "I still think the Senate Chambers would be a good location to check out. With luck we should find very useful information there." He chimed in adding his two cents.

The Senate chambers do sound promising, but I would like to go back to Daak and get some guards to protect the hub from being used except by us. So, Amara, how many should I bring? One? All three? Without the circlet, it'll be death for Culver if he returns to the hub.

Nolan looks to be pretty smug with his decision at the moment.

"At least two," Amara replied, turning when Nolan asked her directly.

"If it's one of the outposts we took, that would have to be this one here," Myarra adds, pointing to the map.  [OOC: #1] Satin helped us get in there and clean it out.  But the medusa wasn't there.  We were told that her lair was somewhere to the north.  But with Satin breathing down our necks to get her property back, we haven't had the time to pursue it."

nox nods, following Myarra's logic. "Perhaps the outpost might be his navigational waypoint to find her lair then... If it's not there precisely."

Alstadin listened in to the conversation in silence...no real information to add. Battle tactics was more his forte, but this planning was something he couldn't add anything into except suspicions, theories and ideas...something others can do. The harsh comment from Amara he just smiled...he knew there were worse places, but he meant in regards to the forest.

OK, two it is then. I wish I could be there to see Culver's face when he teleports right into two Iron Golems. Now we just have to find out which waystone to take. I don't think it would be one of the private citizen choices, so that would leave the Section 1-5 choices? Hanns? Do you know what Sections 1-5 might lead to?